This shadow changes things for the better

I. Sun blocked by a cloud.

II. Early days of Christian church.

III. Peter’s shadow.

IV. God can be present in a powerful way in a shadow.

Luke 1.35 “And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

Luke 9.35 “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!””

Psalm 91.1-3 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.”

V. Sometimes in the Bible a shadow is not a good thing though.

Psalm 23.4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 144.4 “Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.”

VI. So what changes the shadow for the better?

VII. BC comic strip.

Mark 10.26-27 “And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.””

Mark 11.22 “And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.”

VIII. Standing in the shadow of Jesus’ empty cross today.

IX. Thomas in our Gospel lesson for today was changed from gloom to a new appreciation for life.

John 20.29 “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””