top of page
wcczoelarson

Light a Candle

Dear Friends,

It is holy Saturday. Today, we wonder what we mean when we say that Jesus, buried, “descended into hell.” We contemplate what reality would be if this indeed was the final picture, of God entombed, memorialized forever. That’s all.

But in fact, as John says it, “a light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” This is a good day to light a candle and keep it lit, to proclaim the light, even on holy Saturday, as Jesus lies dead in his grave. Light a candle, and read these words from Paul a few times throughout the day:

Romans 8:18-39

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

0 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Here’s a Doxology Story

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly host Praise Father, Son and...

What is Saving Your Life?

Today’s blog post is written by Pastor Jen. Last week was the annual Midwinter Conference of the Covenant Church, which I spoke about a...

Roses

“Thanks for Roses by the wayside, thanks for thorns their stems contain.” (Hymnal, 657) There are two roses remaining on my desk corner...

留言


bottom of page