Friday Night Light

Timothy Keller states in his book, "Jesus The King" -

"The tenderness of Jesus despite the terror must have pierced right through his (re: the centurion's) hardness. The beauty of Jesus in his death must have flooded his darkness with light."

That is exactly right.

Jesus is the Light of the world and on that fateful Friday night, His light conquered darkness. (John 8:12)

There is something about darkness that is scary, frightening and ugly.

Little children are scared of the dark.

The dark is unknown. If the lights are on, you can see what is going on. If the lights are off and perhaps you are camping or somewhere very, very dark the sounds may scare you, a breeze frightens you;  you cannot see....

We fear the unknown and darkness makes everything unknown.

If you hike in a cave you must have a headlamp to light up the way. Flowers need sunshine to grow. In fact, even people need sunlight or we become vitamin D deficient.

The light that the Centurion saw was Christ's love and tenderness even during His death (Mark 15:39).

His light lights up the darkness. Jesus can light up the darkest night of the soul.

I heard the story when Jeremy Camp's wife Melissa died of cancer.
Was he angry at God?
Yes
Was he confused?
Yes
Did he believe God could have healed her but didn't and took her home to heaven instead?
Yes
What did Jeremy Camp (worship leader/song writer) do after she died?
He began to sing.
He began to praise God.
He sang in the midst of his darkest night because Melissa was transferred from earth to heaven.
He sang because of the hope we have beyond the grave.

Do you know what Jennie Lusko did after her 5 year old daughter Lenya passed away and went to heaven?
She nudged her husband and suggested he invite the nurses at the hospital to their church.

Where was God in those deep moments of despair?
He was RIGHT THERE in the midst.

In the deepest, darkest night.....even when you feel as though you cannot see your hand in front of your face...

In those moments of despair and grief, Jesus brings light.

He brings light by gently reminding you of a worship song.
He brings light by giving you a word of comfort.
He brings light by telling you "Trust me."
He brings light by the friend who sobs with you.
He brings light by the child that tells you "Don't worry mommy, Jesus will help you."
He brings light by the fresh understanding of grace that is sufficient.
He brings light by comforting you in a way no human being can.
He brings light by reminding you of verses that are tucked away in your heart and retrieved by the Holy Spirit at just the right time.

This is what Jesus did by shining His light on Good Friday.
The world turned black, there was an earthquake and the veil was torn top to bottom.
The light of the world, the one who was there and participated in creation of light....Jesus was there when the sun, moon and stars were formed. This man, the Son of Man took the sins of the world on His shoulders, and because of the way He died, His light gave hope to this hardened Centurion.

Jesus' light even in the midst of His crucifixion and last breathe made an impression on the Centurion and he confessed
"Surely this Man was the Son of God" (Mark 15:39)

This man saw with His eyes...(physical eyes)
We have the opportunity to see Jesus with eyes of faith.

His light shines everywhere!
His light shines on His children.
His light shines in His children.
We have the opportunity to be a conduit of His magnificent light.

The kindergarteners are RIGHT! This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.
Friends, let's shine for our Savior.

We must repent of our self centered ways....
We cannot be a light if we are constantly staring into the light of our iPhones or laptops or TV screens, or car navigation system...
We must look up from the cares of OUR world and let God reflect His light through us.

We have hope today because Friday meant death, but Sunday is coming!
Halleluia!
Thank you Jesus for Good Friday!
Thank you that your death meant victory, we will be with you forevermore!
We looked forward to the day we can see you with unveiled faces and enjoy your light forever!