It was still dark. Almost like a throw away line at the beginning of his account of the resurrection, John – the gospel writer – includes the phrase; ‘it was still dark’.
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. With nightfall the Sabbath had come to a close and so, at the earliest opportunity, while it was still dark, she came to the tomb in order to anoint the body of Jesus – as was the custom. When she got there, she found that the stone that had been placed in front of the tomb had been removed.
Mary was distraught! She went to Peter and John and told them what she had seen and what she assumed, ‘They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they’ve laid him!’
Mary still lived with the belief that Jesus was dead and why shouldn’t she? She had witnessed so much and especially the crucifixion when – as darkness covered the land – Jesus had cried out with a loud voice and died. She would never forget the moment when darkness overwhelmed her life.
As Peter and John heard what Mary had to say, they set off for the tomb – running. They wanted to know if it was really true. Jesus had told them that He must die and that on the third day He would rise but they had forgotten all that.
It was still dark. They hadn’t realised that Jesus had been raised from death to life. They hadn’t realised that His absence from the tomb meant that He was alive.
Mary had followed Peter and John back to the tomb and, when they left to tell the others, she stood weeping. She then looked inside and saw two angels who spoke with her. They asked why she was weeping and she told them. Then Mary turned and saw a man who also asked her why she was weeping and who it was that she was looking for. She thought he was the gardener and so asked him if he knew where the body of Jesus was. It was when the man – Jesus – said, ‘Mary’ that the windows of her mind, the windows of her heart and the windows of her soul were opened. Jesus! It was Jesus she was talking to! He was alive! And into her life and her being came a flood of resurrection light. It was Easter morning! Her Saviour was risen!
Darkness turned to light. Tears of despair turned to tears of joy. Hallelujah! He is risen! And what is it that makes the difference? Simply this, that Jesus comes to us and calls us by our name. Just as he called Mary by her name and her life was transformed, so God in Christ comes to each of us and calls us by our name – our Christian name. He calls us and – if we respond – He will fill our living with light and hope and peace and joy and the promise of eternity.
Christ is risen! Resurrection light shines! Hallelujah for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Hallelujah! He is risen!