Jesus’ resurrection chases away the darkness and gloom, bringing joy and light that first Easter and every day afterward.

In his great prophecy about the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be pierced and crushed for us. The punishment that brought us peace would be on him, and by his wounds we would be healed.

Yet his suffering would not end in death and darkness. Isaiah prophesied, “After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied” (Isaiah 53:11). That is exactly what happened on Easter Sunday. As much as Good Friday is characterized by darkness and death, Easter is characterized by light and life.

The light of that first Easter

It was at dawn (Matthew 28:1), just after sunrise (Mark 16:2), when an angel of the Lord came down from heaven to roll away the stone. The rays of the rising sun were nothing compared to the brightness of that angel. “His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow” (Matthew 28:3). This was the glorious message: “He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:6).

The first followers of the Lord to experience the light of Easter were the women who walked to Jesus’ tomb early that morning. The brilliant glory of the angel and his message were not at all what they were expecting. It was such a shock that they were like people who blink, squint, and can’t open their eyes when walking into the light from the darkness. Those women were expecting a dark tomb and a dead body. Their goal was simply to honor the one they loved by covering the scent of death a little longer. But now this! It was almost too much for them to take in.

Then Jesus appeared, showing himself first to the women and then later to his disciples who were huddled in a locked and probably dark room because they were afraid. At first, they could not—would not—believe that Jesus really was alive. (As much as we hate the darkness, we find it so hard to leave!) But then Jesus showed his hands and feet. He ate some fish. He reminded them of all the Old Testament passages about the suffering and glory of the Messiah. They believed! Darkness and gloom gave way to joy and light.

The continued light of Easter

Years later, Jesus appeared to the apostle John in brilliant glory. John wrote about the experience: “The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. . . . His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance” (Revelation 1:14-16). And this is what the Living One said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:17,18). In the risen Christ, there is no darkness. There is no more night. The final chapter of the Bible describes heaven as a place that is bright: “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light” (Revelation 22:5).

On Easter Sunday, our churches reflect this. What was bare or black is now draped in white. No more dimmed lights or veiled windows. Candles that were extinguished are again lit. Easter lilies too are bright white. So are the paraments that cover the altar. All these are outward symbols of the spiritual reality that brightens our hearts. Jesus lives! And because he lives, we live too. Our sins are forgiven. Jesus’ peace rests on us. There is no reason to be afraid. Even death is no longer dark, because Jesus’ resurrection assures us that we too will rise to eternity in heaven, where there is no darkness because “the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 21:23).

Little Easters every day

For me, the contrast between Good Friday and Easter is my favorite time of the church year. At a jewelry store, the diamonds are always set against black velvet because the darkness accentuates their beautiful brilliance. So too God’s deep love for me in the darkness of the cross and his victory in the brightness of the empty tomb pair in a way that is absolutely perfect. Christ died for me! Christ rose for me! That is the heart of my faith and my confidence forever.

When the early Christians picked the day on which they would gather for worship, they knew they were free to worship any and every day (Romans 14:5). There was no command from God about one day being better than the others. With that freedom, they chose Sunday. A big part of that was because Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday. Every time they gathered for worship, it was a little bit of Easter. Every time they worshiped, it was a testimony that our Savior Jesus is not dead. It was a reminder that we live in light and not darkness.

We need that reminder still today. There is a lot of darkness both around us and inside us. Living in darkness is exhausting and soul-draining. But then comes Easter every spring and the little Easters Sunday after Sunday. Our resurrected Lord brings his light into our lives year after year, week after week, and day after day.

Our resurrected Lord brings his light into our lives year after year, week after week, and day after day.

If you are trapped in the darkness of guilt today, may Jesus give you his forgiveness and peace. If you are living in sadness and gloom today, may Jesus give you joy. And if you can’t see the path through life, may Jesus take you by the hand and guide you in the end to eternal glory in heaven.

This Easter, may the light of Jesus’ resurrection fill you and your heart!

Like the golden sun ascending, breaking through the gloom of night,
On the earth its glory spending so that darkness takes to flight,
Thus my Jesus from the grave and death’s dismal, dreadful cave
Rose triumphant Easter morning at the early purple dawning. (Christian Worship 470:1)

Author: Timothy Nass
Volume 112, Number 04
Issue: April 2025