This reflection originally appeared in Daily Grace: The Mockingbird Devotional, Vol. 2.

“But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:17-18)

There is a local legend of a preacher in Jackson, Mississippi. He stood up to offer a word on Easter Sunday, simply leaned into the mic and said, “It’s all true,” then sat down. I have heard people tell this story two ways. Some people talk about that minister like he was a lazy so-and-so with little regard for the pageantry of Easter. Such a day demands a well thought-out sermon befitting the hats, lilies, and plastic eggs! And then there are the people in the other camp. Those of us who are mystified that someone would so boldly say such a simple thing and let the gospel speak for itself.

This is exactly what I need to hear on Easter morning. I need to hear that it is actually all true. That Jesus came to rescue me. That he came to die in my place. That my sins are forgiven. Such news hits an almost unreachable spot in my heart. But Jesus manages to find it.

Resurrection rips through all of those intellectual questions that I want to throw at it: Do I have to be forgiven? Can’t I just forgive myself? Why do I have to forgive others? All of those questions are just my heart’s feeble barrier to keep me feeling like I have some say in the matter. Jesus rising from the dead burns that old fence right down.

I love Mary Magdalene in this moment. She is like an Olympian with a torch, running to light the next fire, racing to tell everyone this one simple thing: the light has come to stay. To love us, to die for us, and to save us from ourselves. Friends, it is all true.

COMMENTS

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5 responses to “The Light Has Come to Stay”

1. Bex says:

   04/14/2023 at 10:19 am

   “I have seen the Lord.” First sermon. Preached by a woman. And it’s all true.

   Reply
2. Jim Munroe says:

   04/14/2023 at 7:26 pm

   Love it, Sarah! I’m using it in next Sunday’s sermon! (And maybe crediting my source….)

   Reply
3. Bertie says:

   04/17/2023 at 12:30 pm

   The Truth, the Whole Truth and nothing but The truth!

   Reply
4. Cheryl Hopkins says:

   05/04/2023 at 8:26 pm

   God bless no bs Sarah Condon!

   Reply
5. A Holy Week Recap - Mockingbird says:

   03/29/2024 at 11:01 am

   […] The Light Has Come to Stay, by Sarah Condon […]

   Reply