The Darkness of Holy Week

For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Isaiah 60:2

Dear Friends in Christ,

The worship services of Holy Week take us through the darkness of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion. They are a fitting and important road to the celebration of the resurrection. We are so eager for Easter, but the road to get there goes through suffering and death. The way of the cross is the way of life.

We are a people of hope because of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. And yet, we still experience that darkness in our lives: sin, human brokenness and the pain of conflict, our death and mortality. All this seems out of place in the life of a resurrection people. Yet it is part of the human condition. How do we walk through that darkness?

In walking with Jesus, we see that God did not shrink from human life, from human suffering, despite its pain. Jesus, in all his power still chose to embrace this human life. And in his suffering and death transformed and transcended it. If Jesus can choose to walk through the valley of the shadow of death (though it is God’s right pathways), likewise, we can walk that dark path, knowing that resurrection and renewal is our destination (in this life and in the life to come).

Come lay your dark days at the foot of the cross, that Jesus might take all of that trouble to himself, and give you back yourself more whole, more strengthened for the days to come, and ready for Easter!

Yours in Christ,

-Tom