Rabbouni! God of Light
Psalm 118:1-2,14-24,26-27a and John 2O:1-18
EASTER Sunday – April 5, 2026
By Pastor Jane Shelton, CRE
On this Easter morning, may we all step into the shoes of the Psalmist
rejoicing and giving thanks to the Lord!
May we sing songs of victory to the one who provides a steadfast love
that endures forever. We have seen the strength, might and salvation of our
Lord!
Surely, we can all recount the Lord’s wonderful deeds and look forward
to entering the gates of righteousness so we can give thanks to the Lord!
Indeed, it is a marvelous thing in which we can rejoice and be glad that
Jesus is the Light of God. Jesus, the one who came in the name of the Lord
and was blessed.
What a wonderful day of rejoicing as we celebrate our resurrected Lord!
Over the past few weeks during Lent, I hope that you noted the bulletin
covers that were chosen, reflecting light in each one in some fashion. Perhaps
you only noticed the beautiful landscapes each Sunday, but if you think back
on them, each cover had a distinctive representation of light.
And yes, it was intentional on my part because I wanted you to consider
Jesus as the Light that comes to us from the God of Light and brings light into
our lives to pass on to others through blessings.
Think back with me to the birth of Jesus which we celebrated just a few
short months ago, and the bright light that shined above to bring awareness to
the shepherds and others that came to the manger. There they were greeted
by a Child of Light, Jesus.
Jesus walked in light, healing, feeding the hungry, performing all manner
of miracles and teaching all manner of truths to the people he met along his
journey.
The light shined brightly until the day of the crucifixion and the moment
when the tomb was rolled to cover the tomb. There Jesus lay in darkness in
the sins covered in the sins of the world.
On Easter morning, as Mary Magdetine makes her way to the tomb, she
also walks along the path in darkness. Note the first verse of our scripture
says, ‘while it was still dark.’
When Mary sees the stone rolled back from the tomb, she does not
enter; instead she runs to get Peter and John who race back to the tomb. They
go into the tomb and see the wrappings of Jesus’ body rolled and placed to the
side
We are told that John sees and believes because the linens were left
and neatly placed, resulting in his faith of the resurrection Jesus foretold. He
realizes prophecies have been fulfilled. He sees for the first time and
understands the Light of the Truth.
The disciples return to their home; however, Mary remains and decides
to then investigate the tomb, weeping still. thinking Jesus’ body had been
stolen. Remarkably, she sees two angels sitting where Jesus had been laid
who ask her why she is weeping and who she is looking for.
She doesn’t wait for an answer from the angels as she turns to find who
she believes to be the gardener until Jesus calls her name, “Mary!”
Instantly, at the calling of her name, she recognizes that it is Jesus, her
beloved teacher, calling her name, and she is fitted with the Light of Truth.
As instructed, Mary returns to the disciples and tells them that she has
seen the Lord. Mary has seen the Light.
In my head I hear the song written by Hank Wittiams, Sr., with the people
singing, “I saw the light, I saw the light, no more in darkness, no more night.
Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight. Praise the Lord, I saw the light.”
Today we stand in the Light of Easter morning, celebrating our
resurrected Lord, but just like Peter, John, and Mary, we have journeyed in
darkness to dawn to Light in the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus.
As each Sunday of Lent passed, I wanted you to be reminded that while
you might experience periods of darkness in your life, there is still hope in the
Light.
We all experience periods of darkness, whether it is in times of grief,
ignorance, unbelief, indifference, or despair. To survive, we look for the dawn
In our searching for the dawn, we get a glimmer of light, and in that light
a new door opens, perhaps through discernment it gradually opens wider and
wider, letting in more and more light until we see the truth and we find
ourselves standing in the full light of day; standing in the Light of Christ, the
Light of God.
Because Mary, Peter and John were willing to walk through the darkness,
they not only found dawn, but the Light of their Rabbouni, their Teacher.
Because they were willing to risk the dawn, they became filled with the Light
and became eyewitnesses to their risen Lord.
From that empty tomb, a light so brilliant burst forth and continues to
shine after all these years, reminding us why we are Christians and people of
faith. We live with purpose and meaning knowing Christ is risen. Christ is
risen indeed!
To God be the glory!