“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” — Matthew 28:6a

A Glorious Sunrise

When an athlete, coach or fan suffers a devastating loss or a season-ending injury, many long nights are ahead. Some people wonder if the sun will ever rise again. It may help to go on a beach vacation and see the darkness flee when the yellowish-orange ball of fire lights up the water and the sand at sunrise. But in every time zone throughout the world, the light of a new day brings hope.

When Jesus died on the cross, darkness suddenly hovered over the area in the middle of the day. “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ When He had said this, He breathed his last” (Luke 23:44-46).

Darkness symbolized the dreadfulness of our many sins, the despair of Jesus’ disciples and the agonizing death of Jesus on the cruel cross. As his mother, Mary, and many other believers watched the Savior die, it seemed all hope was lost. They felt as if the sun would not shine again.

Suddenly, on the third day, the Son rose from the dead. “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from Heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. … The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay'” (Matthew 28:1-2, 5-6).

As you celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Sunday, remember His sacrifice.