In a world filled with hardship and pain, the most precious gift we can give the children in our lives is the hope found in Jesus—the Gospel. But, how do we show them that light still conquers darkness? The answer lies in the resurrection of Jesus, proof that darkness never has the final word. We have the incredible opportunity to plant this life-changing truth in their hearts from an early age.
At the crucifixion, it seemed as though darkness had won. “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon” Luke 23:44. For Jesus’ followers, it must have felt like all hope was lost. But three days later, everything changed; Jesus rose from the grave, proving that death and despair could not defeat Him.
In Acts 17:6, the disciples were accused of “turning the world upside down” with their message about Jesus. But in reality, they were setting things right in a world broken by sin. Through the good news of salvation, they brought light where there was only darkness. The resurrection gave them boldness to proclaim Jesus as King, and their message spread like wildfire, offering hope and eternal life to all who believed.
What about today? Do we truly live as if the resurrection changes everything? Do the children in our lives see a hope that cannot be shaken? The resurrection of Christ isn’t just a historical event—it is the heart of our faith, the guarantee that sin and death have been defeated.
Much like Marty Machowski’s book Darkest Night, Brightest Day, where one side tells of Christ’s suffering and the other proclaims His victory, our lives should reflect this movement from darkness into light. The disciples, once fearful and uncertain, became fearless messengers of the Gospel. Their confidence was not in themselves but in the risen Christ.
If we long for the children around us to grasp the power of the resurrection, we must ask ourselves: do they see us resting in the finished work of Christ? Are we prayerfully showing them a life dependent on the work of our Savior?
The darkness of sin is real—just as the land went dark when Jesus bore the weight of our sin, so too does sin bring darkness into our world. Yet His sacrifice shattered the darkness with the light of forgiveness and grace.
The victory of Jesus is certain—because He conquered death, we no longer live in fear. His resurrection is the unshakeable proof that our faith is secure in Him.
We are called to reflect His light—to proclaim, as the disciples did, the truth of the Gospel in a world desperate for redemption.
If you’re feeling the weight of darkness today, remember this: Jesus has already won. His resurrection isn’t just a moment in history—it’s the reality that defines our lives. The good news of Easter is not for one day alone; it is for every day, every breath, every moment. And by God’s grace, we have the joy of passing this truth to the next generation.
Darkest Night Brightest Day
A Family Devotional for the Easter Season
Marty Machowski’s book, Darkest Night Brightest Day, shows how Jesus’ resurrection turned the world upside down and right side up. Families begin this devotional on Palm Sunday with the first side, Darkest Night. These seven stories depict the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion, when “there was darkness over the whole land” (Luke 23:44b). But that is not the end of the story! Flip the book over on Easter morning and continue reading Brightest Day.
These seven stories recount Christ’s resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost. Machowski provides discussion questions (and answers) for parents of preschool and school-aged children. Illustrated by Phil Schorr, this beautiful book will become a treasured Easter favorite as a reminder of how God turned the darkest night into the brightest day.
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1 Comment
How could believers and skeptics of the resurrection of Jesus discuss the evidence for this alleged event without allowing their respective biases to derail the discussion? I suggest this hypothetical situation to start the conversation: A coworker tells you that he recently attended a worship service of a new religious sect. The sect claims that their recently deceased leader has returned from the dead. What evidence would each of us require to believe this claim?