‘While it was still dark…’ — Mark 1:35.
The Empty Tomb
I wake every morning before the sun peaks over the horizon, brewing coffee, meditating quietly, tackling emails, and writing articles before dawn.
The sun is already glowing in my surrounding darkness – somewhere in the world.
I can’t see it – yet. I’m waiting for Earth to spin and reveal the sun’s warmth.
The Bible defines faith as ‘Waiting and trusting for what is not yet seen’ Hebrews 11:1-3.
The Resurrection of Christ from the Dead
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb ‘while it was still dark.’
Mary Magdalene knew what it meant to have faith in YHWH.
She loved Jesus deeply. He had freed her from demons and transformed her life forever (Luke 8:2).
Mary followed Him to the cross, watched His burial, and after honoring the Sabbath, returned to the tomb at dawn, spices in hand, to grieve (John 20:1).
It was still dark when she and the other women arrived at Christ’s tomb.
They found an empty tomb—the stone rolled away, and Jesus was gone!
Shocked, she thought thieves had stolen Him, adding insult to His crucifixion’s pain.
Running to Peter and John, she shared the news.
The disciples of Jesus came and saw the empty tomb and left confused, not grasping Jesus’ promise of resurrection (John 20:9).
Mary stayed at the tomb, weeping, clinging to the place of loss.
Then, the Shining Dawn arrived.
In her grief, as the sun rose, Jesus appeared. Mary first mistook Him for a gardener, until He said, ‘Mary’ (John 20:16).
Suddenly, Mary knew: ‘Rabboni!’ Her Lord was alive! Racing back, she proclaimed, ‘I have seen the Lord!’ (John 20:18).
The Shining Dawn represents Christ shattering our darkness by His resurrection.
The Symbol AU (Gold) Is Latin for ‘Shining Dawn’
The chemical symbol for gold is AU.
- Meaning: The Latin abbreviation AU for gold comes from the Latin word aurum, which means ‘rising sun’.
- Duration: This abbreviation has been used for over 2,000 years, since ancient Roman times, and was standardized in chemistry by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1814.
- Reason: Latin was the scientific language of Europe for centuries, and aurum reflects gold’s cultural value—linked to dawn’s glow (aurora).
After the Resurrection of Christ, a lame beggar approached one of Christ’s disciples (Peter) and asked for money. Peter responded:
‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.
In the name of Jesus the Messiah of Nazareth, arise and walk.’
In a day of financial uncertainty, when you check your retirement account and feel worried about tomorrow, I remind you of the faithful Shining Dawn that comes ‘every day’ of your life, not just once a year.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Supports me in the ‘whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Each Sunrise Is a ‘Shining Dawn’ of Hope in Christ
It’s a tragedy to only think of your relationship with Christ on Palm Sunday or Easter.
Every sunrise whispers to us in our darkest moments of hope in lost dreams, broken hearts, and personal hurts to stay near Christ’s tomb as we wait for His Shining Dawn.
Resurrection happens unseen, like tulips blooming underground (1 Corinthians 15:20).
Jesus, the New Adam, restores creation and calls us to Himself in love (Romans 5:17).
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Don’t wait for Easter to celebrate the power of God to shatter your darkness.
Every sunrise is a testimony to your new Shining Dawn.
