Have you ever had to wake up super early when it was still dark outside? It can be disorienting to wake up before your mind realizes what's happening. But your heart knows that it needs to get up. Whether it's for work, practice, praying, or preparing, we have a reason to start the day. Mary Magdalene had a mission to see her beloved friend, Jesus, before the sun rose. She didn't realize that the worst 3 days in her life would suddenly become the greatest light the world had ever seen. There will be seasons when it's dark outside, but when you carefully look for the clues Jesus has left you, you will find a way to win the day rather than focus on the season. Your mourning will end in the morning when God's light enters your tomb.

Your worst season will give birth to your best season.

1. The Tomb

In order to validate that something exists or is true we always seek evidence. The empty tomb where Jesus was buried is a valuable clue that indeed He resurrected. If you were to visit the tombs of the world’s most famous religious leaders, they have one thing in common: their bones are there. Jesus’s empty tomb symbolizes his resurrection. His death was not the end, yet His resurrection utters: “It is finished.”

2.  The Folded Napkin

Culturally, if a master was dining and got up, yet folded his napkin and placed it on the table, the servant would know that the Master would be returning. When John and Peter ran to the tomb after being alerted by Mary that Jesus’ body was not there, they saw the burial napkin was neatly folded. Much like the illustration of the master and the servant, when they saw this they rationalized that the Messiah had returned to them, resurrecting from the grave. Although only three days earlier they had abandoned and denied Jesus, after seeing this they again believed.

On the first Easter morning, no one could have imagined that their darkest moment could become the brightest, that a place of death could become a place of new life. Today, God invites us to join the awesome story of resurrection, as Jesus continues to make all things new. The two ton boulder that sealed Jesus’ tomb didn’t roll away to let Jesus out, but to let everyone in to see and believe. And even when we feel like we can’t see, whether because of darkness all around, or because our eyes are blurry with tears - keep listening for the voice of Jesus to break through. He knows each of us by name, and is calling us to trust him. We become participants in the marvelous resurrection story as we embrace the good news that Jesus is alive, and boldly proclaim this hope to the world.