Kindersley Alliance Church Easter Message: What do we do when life feels dark?

My wife and I had the opportunity to go on a cave tour when we were vacationing on Vancouver Island. When we were in the deepest part of the cave, the guide had all of us stop and turn off the headlamps that were on our helmets. Even though the lights were off for only about a minute, it was a little disorienting. I have never experienced such darkness. I could not see any source of light at all, nothing to focus my eyes on. 

Sometimes life might feel like that. You lose a big business deal. A relationship is going south. A close friend has betrayed you. A loved one has passed away and the pain is unbearable. You look at what is happening in the world, and you feel hopeless. You may start to ask yourself where can I go for strength and hope? Can I see any light in this darkness? 

The people that followed a guy named Jesus felt the same way. They had seen many amazing things and heard incredible teachings from Him. For three years they followed and learned from Him. He told them that He was building a kingdom that would last forever and that they would have life and have it abundantly. They put their entire hope and future on Him. They believed that He would make their lives better and give them the freedom that they were looking for. 

Then the unspeakable happened. The authorities thought that because of Him, they were going to lose the position that they held, so they decided to have Him murdered. People were paid off and false witnesses lied to the judges and rulers. He was sentenced to death and the execution happened immediately. After He was dead, the body of Jesus was placed in a cave-like grave with a large stone rolled in front of the entrance. 

So now the followers of Jesus were left without their leader. Their entire hope and future was laying dead in a tomb and they were hiding from the authorities. They placed all their hope in one man and that guy was dead. They could not see any light to help them in this darkness. 

Then something incredible happened. They heard that Jesus was alive and that He was back from the dead. Some of them could not believe it, people don’t recover from death! Then one day when they were all in one place, Jesus did appear to them. Here He was, standing amongst them. He told them again that He was giving them a hope that would not fade and a Kingdom that would last forever. He promised that anyone who followed Him would go through difficult times and events, but He also promised that He would walk with them though it all. All they had to do was continue to put their faith in Him. 

This is the true Easter Story. Jesus offering any who are willing to follow Him, a hope and a future. 

Are you in a dark place right now? Are you looking for a light to guide you out of the pain and hurt that you are in? Are you seeking a hope that will not disappoint and let you down? Please consider Jesus. He was sacrificed for you and He rose from the dead to offer you a hope and a future. 

Respectfully Submitted. 
Rev. Lionel Moffatt
Kindersley Alliance Church