Mother’s Day
Luke 24
Love, Light, and Sight
In the depths of our spiritual journey, we often find ourselves standing at the threshold of an empty tomb, much like the faithful women who sought Jesus on that transformative morning. Their story, beautifully captured in Luke 24, offers us profound insights into the nature of faith, understanding, and the power of God's word in our lives.
Love Needs Light
These women, driven by their deep love for Jesus, ventured to His tomb at dawn, carrying spices to anoint His body. Their devotion was unquestionable, their grief palpable. Yet, despite their unwavering loyalty, they approached the tomb expecting to find death, not life. Their love, though sincere, lacked the illumination of understanding.
This scenario mirrors our own spiritual walks at times. We may admire Jesus, respect His teachings, and even serve in His name, yet still miss the fullness of who He is as Lord and Savior. Our love, no matter how genuine, needs the light of comprehension to truly grasp the miracle of the resurrection.
It's a poignant reminder that while love may move us, it cannot guide us. We need the clarity that comes from God's light. As the Psalmist often prayed, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18), we too must seek divine illumination to fully comprehend the truths we claim to believe.
Light Gives Sight
The beauty of God's grace is that He doesn't wait for us to figure everything out. Instead, He meets us in our confusion and weakness. Like a GPS that patiently recalculates our route after a wrong turn, God gently redirects us through His word and Spirit.
For the women at the tomb, this redirection came through angelic messengers who posed a simple yet profound question: "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" These celestial beings didn't introduce new information; they simply reminded the women of Jesus' own words about His death and resurrection.
This moment of remembrance is where everything changed. The light of understanding dawned, and what was previously heard but not comprehended suddenly made sense. It's reminiscent of how a familiar melody can suddenly flood us with memories, transporting us to specific moments in time.
When God's word dwells in our hearts and the Spirit illuminates it, our spiritual eyes are opened. We move from confusion to conviction, from mourning to messaging. The sorrow that brought us to the tomb becomes the witness that propels us forward.
Love, Light, and Sight Make Us Bright
The transformation of these women is striking. They arrived as mourners and left as messengers. Their confusion turned into conviction, and their sorrow became their testimony. They ran to tell others, boldly proclaiming, "I have seen the Lord!"
This is the natural progression of our spiritual journey when we allow God's love to draw us close, His light to illuminate His word, and His Spirit to open our eyes. We become bright – shining witnesses to the truth of the resurrection.
Interestingly, God chose to entrust this world-changing message first to women, a detail that speaks volumes about the nature of the Gospel. In a culture where women's testimonies held little legal weight, God elevated their voices. This wasn't a polished PR move; it was raw, real history – a testament to the authenticity of the Biblical account.
The Gospel's power to dignify the overlooked and lift up the lowly is evident throughout history. When lived out as Jesus intended, Christianity has led to remarkable advancements for women – in education, healthcare, and social standing. It declares the inherent worth of all people as image-bearers of God, echoing Paul's words in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Embracing the Message
So where does this leave us today? Perhaps we find ourselves standing with those women on that first Easter morning – carrying our own burdens, confusion in our minds, and sorrow in our hearts. Like them, we may have come expecting one thing, only to be met with something entirely unexpected – an empty tomb, a risen King, and a reminder that He is not here; He is risen!
The invitation is to allow God to turn on the light in our hearts and minds. To pray boldly like the Psalmist, "God, open my eyes that I may see. Send out your light and your truth. Give me understanding that I may live today."
For those feeling unseen, tired, or worn down by life, take heart. God still entrusts His message to people like you – those who keep showing up even in the dark, who bring what little they have, who love Jesus even when their eyes are full of tears. Remember, God doesn't wait for us to be strong; He meets us in our weakness. He doesn't demand perfect devotion but gives us His perfect grace.
Your worth isn't found in what you do, but in who Christ is and what He's done for you. The tomb is still empty because Jesus is alive. His word remains true, and your witness matters.
As we reflect on this powerful message, may we, like those faithful women, remember Jesus' words, take hold of them, and be moved to action. May we receive His grace and boldly proclaim, "I have seen the Lord. He's met me. He's changed me."
In a world often shrouded in darkness, let us be the ones who carry the light of Christ's love, allowing His truth to give us spiritual sight, so that we may shine brightly for all to see. For when love has light, and light gives sight, we truly become bright – living testimonies to the transformative power of the risen Christ.