Light

Sunrise with the silhouette of a cross and the word "Light" describing the subject of the post.

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

Luke 23:44-46, ESVUK

 

Now after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Suddenly there was a severe earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

Matthew 28:1-3, NET

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.

John 1:1-5, NET

While the Sun’s Light Failed

by Audrey Frank

 

Dear sun

In mourning

Failing

Light.

 

Bright star

Lamp of Earth

Waning

Weeping.

 

Witnessing star

As The Morning Star

Dies in

darkness.

 

Humble sun

Worshiping orb

Prostrate

As the Light of the World breathes His last.

 

Created sun

Surrendering glory

To the Light 

Who made you.

 

Rising sun

Heralding hope

Announcing

He is risen!

 

Shining sun

Darkness cannot

Master

The Messiah’s Light.

 

Secret-keeping sun

Knowing

After dark

Always comes Light.

 

Servant sun

Obedient

Radiant

Speaking.

 

Mentoring sun

Inviting me

To believe.

 

I was sorrowful and ashamed on Good Friday this year to find myself completely absorbed in my own pain. On the day of my Savior’s wounding and death, my thoughts were of me.

Then the realization that He died in the darkness shocked me to my senses and His love pierced me with new revelation.

Darkness is exactly where Jesus meets us, dear one. Can you hear His last breath as He commits His spirit to the Father?

If He can, we can too.

This poem tumbled out of my heart as I thought about the sun’s silent witness at Calvary. She stands like a character in the drama of the crucifixion, weeping and waning, laying down her brilliance at the feet of the Light of the World as He dies in the dark.

I never considered God’s mercy in allowing creation to continue in steadfastness and faithfulness between Friday and Sunday. But the sun did rise on Sabbath. And it rose again the first day of the week, heralding hope and teaching us that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.

One day, we will be in a city that needs no sun, for the Lord God is its light.

Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 22:5

Joyful, light-filled Resurrection Day to you.

 

Light of Life, thank You for rising in my darkness. Amen.

@audreycfrank

Photo by Cdoncel on Unsplash

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