Fools Before Sunrise, The Third Day

April 2, 2021—One day after Fool’s Day

Scripture Resource Passage: John 20

During the dark of the moon, looking to the sky on a cloudless night the stars glisten, illuminating faith’s imagination. Only a fool would say, “There is no light.” 

It was as it should have been—early dark of the second morning—then, the blazing light-fire of God kindled and the universe realigned. “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance” (John 20:1).

We affirm, “Yes, there is light. He is risen as He said.” For us as for all disciples of Jesus, even on that Easter morn, disciples have seen only the first hints of the new day Light, believing He is risen as he said.

A Fool’s Faith-Light

Scripture and heaven’s host proclaim the love ballad of God. Our brother John comes near the end of telling Jesus-stories (the Gospel) adding this note, “…these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). 

Life’s Dreariness Threatens

The nights of Friday and Saturday reveled within their bleak zone. No blaze of His holy presence. No radiant glow of even a bush to burn lest it be consumed. There was only faith’s foolish light.

Each disciple moves through times and days when light seems to flee. Life itself seems determined to ruin us. Such are caused by my own foolishness, at other moments the pretenses of others—who can say? 

Occasionally I sight a star reflecting the Lord’s glory. I find hope. Jim Elliot comes along and like our brother John pens a startling phrase encouraging faith: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” On Fool’s Day April 1, 2021 we, the household of faith said, “He is risen as he said.”

Life Application

• Resurrection Day’s celebration happens Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. When songs and hymns are presented, which of them will most help you celebrate the truth of Christ’s resurrection?
• When events darken your life, where do you see the promise of Christ’s Day moving from night sky to blazing light?