Lesson Twenty Five
FROM DEATH TO LIFE
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Memory Verse: Acts 17:3
Further Study: Matthew 27:50-66; 28:1-4; 11-15; Mark 15:37-47; Luke 23:45-56; John 19:30-42; The Desire of Ages, pp. 756-787; The Bible Story, vol. 9, pp. 125-148
My two grandsons are “light trained.” Something new to me, but probably not to parents is a light that can be placed in the nursery. It functions not only as a nightlight, but also a sound machine. The light has a variety of colors to choose from and is programmable to a cell phone app. Since the boys were newborns, their light glows a soft yellow during sleep hours. But when it’s time to wake up, their light is programmed to change colors.
How this works is somewhat amazing and if I hadn’t experienced it, I wouldn’t believe it. When each boy goes to bed, the light is yellow. They accept this signal as comfort and time for sleep. They do not emerge from their room until the light changes to whatever color has been determined—green for one and pink for the other. If they awake in the night the yellow light assures them it is still sleeping time. If they awake ready for the morning, they are welcome to play in their room, read books, or go back to sleep. They are light-trained.
The disciples spent three years training to the Light.
The disciples spent three years training to the Light. Jesus was a constant presence—the soft yellow Light in their lives. He warned them that the Light would go out, albeit temporarily, but they didn’t understand. The Light was always with them and to have it otherwise was incomprehensible. Yet on that Friday, Jesus died, and the Light went out.
The light in my grandson’s room, when not on, isn’t much to look at. It’s whitish gray and easy to overlook. But when it’s turned on the room is bathed in its presence. When the Light went out for the disciples it was very noticeable. The warmth of His presence was gone not only from them but from the world. The only day the world knew no intercessor. About thirty-six hours without Jesus.
Thirty-six hours without Jesus.
We also need to be Light-trained. We need to be sure that the warmth of Jesus’ presence fills our lives. When it does, we can sleep peacefully, rest in security, and play safely. At the same time, we need to be ready, like my grandsons are, when the Light changes color and points us to our work for Him. Just as they eagerly emerge from their rooms to start their day of school and play, we should emerge also ready for mission following the Light wherever He leads us, until He returns us to our homes and our beds enveloped in His presence.
Let’s be light-trained and be renewed.
Digging Deeper
Quite a number of women were present for the crucifixion. Many believe that Jesus affirmed the ministry of women in these ways:*
- Women were equally worthy of Jesus’ saving activity (John 4:1-42)
- Women were called to be Jesus’ disciples (Matthew 12:48-50)
- Women were part of his ministry team (Luke 8:1-3)
- Women were the first to testify to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28:10, Mark 16:7, John 20:17)
*Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary, p. 921-922.
Making it Real
Last week hopefully you spent a week imagining the day Jesus died. This week think about what life would be like without Jesus. How can you make Jesus more real in your life and the life of your family?
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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.
