Walk In the Light

There are individuals who experience grief by the truckloads. They truly understand what it is to find their lives surrounded by darkness. It’s easy, during trying times, to think that darkness is the lot that has been handed to you. Though they are children of the light, they find it incredibly difficult to live in the light.

Other individuals choose to believe the lie that darkness is not really that bad for you. They have chosen to wear blinders on their spiritual eyes. To them, light only reveals that which they prefer to practice in darkness. Like Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, they choose to believe the sun is the moon and day is as night.

Then there are others who have not yet encountered the light. They just need someone who can point them to the Light; Jesus Christ.

My friends, I would like to look at Mark 16.1-3 with you and help you to see the following truth.

The resurrection is proof that Jesus defeated the power of darkness so we can walk in the light.

Discouraged By Darkness - 16.1-3

Mark 16:1–3 (NASB95)

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”

Mark describes three women who were greatly overwhelmed with grief. Consider a little background to these verses.

Blinded by the picture of horror they had witnessed the previous Friday, two days before, they had been standing at the foot of a Roman cross. One can barely imagine the incredible grief which they felt. They might have felt that they were walking from place to place with feet that felt like lead. Yet, they are determinedly heading towards the final resting place of their dearest friend. This dear friend often had spoken to them, and to others, about grace, forgiveness, eternal life, and light. In fact, He claimed to be the light of the world. Still, they could not get out of their minds the fact of what they had witnessed there at the cross just two days earlier. They had seen His light snuffed out before their own eyes.

Even though Mark says it was just after sunrise, you can imagine these women could only feel darkness in their world. I don’t imagine they were enjoying God’s glorious morning.

Some of you here might say that you feel that your world is just as dark. Most of us here can look around our world and see that there is indeed great darkness. The news is a constant reminder that we live in a dark world. For some, the darkness seems to be just around you.

But do you know what can make it seem even darker? Some listening to this message, or someone you may know, has yet to realize, that without Jesus, all prospects only seem dark. For those without Jesus, there is the reality that you may have known this truth, but have chosen to close your eyes to the reality of the forgiveness that is offered. However, if a person will repent of their sins, accept God’s grace and mercy offered to us in Jesus Christ, we are able to walk in the light.

Some of us can readily identify with these women mentioned here in Mark 16. You have made a decision to put your trust in Jesus, but it seems like He has disappointed you. You have, at one time, walked in the light. Yet, you have become discouraged. You have become anxious. You have allowed the power of darkness to rule your thoughts.

As we look back at the text, we are reminded that even after life seems over and done, life actually continues. Probably all of us have experienced a time when our faith felt like it was suffocating. The joy of our relationship with Christ can sometimes feels as though it’s been totally crushed. However, you know that when you walk from your car or home to the doors of this church, your pace may feel as though you are one of those three women on the way to the tomb, but you have still chosen to come. I’m glad you are here; for I believe God has this as His appointment with you.

We may not say it out loud; yet, when we are experiencing this, church can feel like a chore. But it’s a chore we’re willing to do. We may feel like our obedience to meet together is an obligation. We may even have thoughts like, somebody needs to show up at church, it might as well be me. Sometimes, as we mingle in fellowship, sing songs, read and listen to Scripture, we can find ourselves forcing the issue. It’s almost like we’re faking it.

We might respond at this point, that this message is a real downer. But it’s quite real. Still, I don’t want you to despair. It’s been said that honest confession is what our heart needs before we can begin the experience the joy of resurrection.

Let’s go back to Mark 16 and look at these three women. Notice how they were worrying among themselves about getting the stone rolled away. They’re already disappointed and saddened with the events of what happened to our Lord. Now they’re all tied up in knots over something that, we know, has already been taken care of. We know that the stone has already been rolled away from the grave’s entrance. These women were wasting their time worrying about how to move that boulder. Somehow getting a head start on fretting just seems like the right thing to do.

Some of us identify with this, don’t we? We believe that Jesus is Lord and is in control of our lives. Nonetheless, we may be stressing over what might possibly happen at work, at school, with family members, with friends, with our fellow Christians. We’re all somewhat guilty of this, in one way or another.

So, let’s recognize what this really is. It’s like living in faith without turning on the lights. Our hearts are spiritually wired for light, if we belong to Jesus. There’s a bulb in the fixture, there’s oil in the lamp, there’s wax on the candle. The power is available, yet we choose to worry in the dark. We’ve allowed darkness to be in charge. There’s got to be an answer.

Frustration Finds Freedom - 16.4-6

Mark 16:4–6 (NASB95)

Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.

Now we get to see the encouraging part of this passage. Once the women got to the tomb, they discovered that they didn't have any need to worry. Why not? Because God had already taken care of what they feared. They would also find, when they entered the tomb, that Jesus was not there any longer.

My friends, regardless of what we are going through in life, we cannot hold God at arms length. We might feel as though we are justified for being angry with God; we may feel perfectly right in having a grudge against God for something we think He did, or should have done. However, we do not see the big picture. We are looking through darkened lenses. Satan wants to convince us that Jesus is still dead, that He no longer cares for us. Satan likes the darkness.

If anything seemed like proof, refuting Jesus as being God and the Messiah, it would have been His death, which these women had observed the preceeding Friday. However, death is not final to the creator and sustainer of all that lives and moves and has it’s being. Even though this case seemed closed, it was reopened with the opened tomb.

Jesus has broken the power of darkness so that we can live in the light. The living Christ is always ready to reveal Himself to those who either refuse to live in his light, or who have gone through some very dark experiences. The Bible assures us that He knows all of the reasons we can throw at Him for why we are the way we are. God then, counters all of our excuses, proving that we don't have to live in darkness, because He has set us free to live full lives in His light.

Here’s a couple of individuals who understood the resurrection of Jesus which provides the opportunity for people to live in the light. They spent a majority of their lives proclaiming this glorious truth.

John Wesley is one of the most famous Christians in history. While George Washington was leading colonial troops against the British in America, Wesley was fighting the forces of spiritual evil in England. Wesley was a circuit writing evangelist, who founded the Methodist Church. In John Wesley's journal, he writes of his heart being strangely warmed when he came to Christ as Savior. He also developed a tried and true method for grounding new Christians in their faith, and helping others to grow and mature; it was called small groups. Some of you have and are currently experiencing that type of group even here, which we call grow groups.

John had a brother, who was also quite well-known, by the name of Charles. He was also a preacher, though we know him better as a poet. His poetry was often put to music and sung by Christians around the world. He actually wrote more than 2000 hymns. Thanks to him, we can describe, in song, the freedom which Christ provided us when he defeated death. The hymn is entitled, And Can It Be? There is a verse, which perfectly describes what has happened to many of us.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast, bound in sin and nature’s night. Thine eye diffused a quickening ray. I woke, the dungeon flamed with light! My chains fell off. My heart was free. I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

What a powerful image! A prison cell, which was defined as a windowless hell is no longer defined that way. Now there's freedom! Now there is fresh air! Now there's sunlight! Now there's life!

Confusion to Clarity - 16.7-8

Mark 16:7–8 (NASB95)

“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ” They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

It is easy for many people to focus on the specific details of the empty tomb. We want to deal with the reality that it was, and is still empty. Jesus is no longer there.

Jesus did not need for the stone to be removed for Him to get out. I believe the stone was rolled away so that others could get in. This was so that everyone could see that Jesus was no longer there. And because Jesus was not and is not in the tomb, and because he is the light, he makes available that same freedom to us. No longer must we be wrapped tightly by the cloth of darkness and defeat. No longer are we hostages to Satan and his schemes.

Do you want to hear something else which I find encouraging? I believe that there are more people in our world of influence that are looking for a relationship with Jesus, than we realize. They may not understand what it is they are seeking, yet. I want to challenge you to keep loving and praying for them. Don't be put off or frustrated by their apathy or doubts which they share. Don't feel like you have to have all the answers. Just love them with the love of Jesus and point them to the answers in the Bible.

Look at what the women did in Mark 16.8. Instead of going to tell the disciples, Mark says they were bewildered and afraid and told no one. I consider that good news as well. Strangely, I am encouraged that Mark describes people that reacted just like many of us might react. Just like those three women, many struggle with belief and acceptance. Some would feel safer in darkness, rather than walk in the light. Later, we read that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. She then went to tell the disciples that Jesus was alive.

When you've lived under the influence of the power of darkness, it takes a while to accept the light. God does not make fun of us for our limited vision. He will one day bring all things into focus. He honors sincere faith and enables people to see.

Let me point you to a few biblical examples to illustrate. Paul is living proof of God's ability to make his plans for our lives clear. After Paul was saved, he probably looked back at the terrible pain he had inflicted upon those who were followers of Christ. You see, Paul was a bounty hunter; tracking down, Christians, and herding them to prison or executions. Of course, you know the irony; he thought he was doing God a favor by getting rid of those who trusted in Jesus as Messiah.

However, Paul was spiritually blind, ruled by darkness. Just like the religious culture of any generation, Paul was sincere, yet very wrong. The reason is that darkness had clouded his mind and his heart. Frankly, that darkness can be very comfortable. However, the reality was that down was up; up was down; wrong was right; right was wrong. Then Paul was introduced to another kingdom – – the kingdom of light.

Paul was spiritually blind. Even though he could physically see, he was unable to see spiritually. The ironic thing is that God caused Paul to become physically blind, in order for him to see spiritually. You see, when people have a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ, he breaks the power of darkness in our lives. The eyes of our heart gradually get used to seeing the world with a new perspective, because we are now walking in the light.

Let me share about one more character by the name of Nicodemus. He was the Pharisee who came to Jesus secretly at night, in the dark. Jesus told him of his need to be born again. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus some words which probably more people know today than we realize. It's even found at sports stadiums and complexes; John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Later, we realize that Nicodemus, along with Joseph of Arimathea, went to Pilate in broad daylight to ask for Jesus’ body, in order to give him a decent and proper burial.

Ponderings

Look at Acts 26.16–18 with me. God is speaking with Paul: “‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

The one who had lived in the spiritual land of darkness was now commissioned to go back and tell his story. Paul had personally experienced what the Lord wanted him to share. Paul was about to present the light of the world to those who needed Jesus.

‌I hope you realize that God is asking the same of you and me, today. He is simply asking us to witness or to testify about what we have seen, heard, and experienced firsthand. He wants us to share with others, His Word, which clearly points the way to salvation.

The conviction of those first century disciples and followers of Christ, was that Jesus broke the power of darkness, and enabled them to live and walk in the light. Our lives can reflect that same story. My friends, we don't have to be beaten by life, or any other devastating circumstances that come our way. We do not have to listen to the lies of this world and the enemy of our souls, who live in darkness. We have the truth and the light with us in Jesus Christ.

Why must we keep walking in the light? So that others can come to the light; even Jesus Christ. This is possible only because of the Resurrection of Jesus.

The resurrection is proof that Jesus defeated the power of darkness so we can walk in the light.