The Fellowship of Joy

Early “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.”- John 20:1   It was early.   It was before the rising of the sun. It was still dark.   It was dark on the face of the earth, and it was dark in the hearts of the women who had come to the grave to anoint the body of Jesus.   The darkness that surrounds us can be discouraging. But darkness within us can be overwhelming.   These faithful women were facing the darkness of grief, despair, disappointment, and were still in shock. Yet, they were doing what needed to be done. They were acting as the immediate family of their master and Lord, and they were coming to his tomb to perform the necessary rituals of their faith and culture.   All they could probably do was put one foot in front of the other and go through the motions through their emotions. Dazed by sorrow, they let love lead them to the garden that mor

  An Everlasting Love   The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. - Jeremiah 31:3 .   Sentimentality suggests that human love can be eternal. In the genre of romance literature, film, opera, and popular music, the theme is often repeated with lyrical style and sweet harmony. We come to believe that “true love” lasts forever without great effort, commitment, or struggle. The fact is that human love is fickle, self-serving, and often lazy. Separation may not make the heart grow fonder; it may in fact, make it wander. Hard times often drive a wedge between even the most starry-eyed lovers. Many a marriage, friendship, business relationship, or family tie has been severed over some petty disagreement. Harsh words have been the precipitating cause of animosity between people. Even churches have split over selfish and petty disagreements. Where is this everlasting love? Only God’s