By Brother Guy Ames

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

The apostle John used the contrast of Light and Darkness throughout his writings, declaring Jesus, Light of the World.  In his gospel he writes, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…(and he is)  The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1: 4-5, 9).  In his first epistle he wrote: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

Visible light is “electromagnetic radiation” that can be perceived by the human eye.  We need light!  My sister has an autoimmune disorder that caused her to lose sight in one eye in her early 50’s still allowing her to navigate fairly well.  Recently, she stumbled stepping upon a curb, and fell and cracked her knee.  Within a few weeks her “good eye” lost sight. This experience has given me a real picture of the power of light/dark.

Declaring himself “The Light” that overcomes darkness isn’t about visible light but the darkness that consumes the human heart, that divides people, setting self above all else.  We know this truth, because daily we see how darkness has invaded the human heart.  Daily news brings reports of spiritual sickness leading even “good” people to behave in God dishonoring ways. This darkness touches everyone, as the old hymn reminds us, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love.”

But the Light of Jesus, like a powerful searchlight seeking a stranded person, shines light into darkness.  The light of Jesus exposes the darkness in our lives and like powerful radiation exposes, and destroys cancerous cells, so Jesus’ light heals wounds of hatred, hurt, past trauma, and Praise God, our sin.  Jesus cleanses us from the destructive patterns of our past and empowers us by His Spirit to live God-honoring lives.  John said it best: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

With Jesus’ light in us we reflect that Light to others.  Jesus said, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Yes, our world seems pretty dark, but don’t despair, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

The new film about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor who stood up to Hitler and the Nazi’s during WWII, shows how he was imprisoned for his work to stop the Nazi war machine. He became a light in the darkest of places, reminding us that no matter how harsh the darkness may become, the Light of Christ can never be extinguished.

Be Encouraged!  We don’t need to fear the darkness, for no matter how dark, the Light of Jesus always overcomes the darkness.

Jesus IS THE LIGHT and his light overwhelms the darkest places.  Praise God! Jesus is Lord.

Prayer:

O God, our world seems so embattled by the dark forces that surround us.  Today, we pray especially for those who are living in literal darkness, where a prison cell holds them because they follow Jesus, in places like Sudan, China, North Korea, those places where to worship Christ is a crime; shine your Light, give them hope, help them to remain strong.  We pray for those who feel imprisoned without walls because they are followers of Jesus in places or homes where to live for you is dangerous.  We pray for those in our own families today, Lord, who have turned their faces from you.  Lord, bring their hearts and minds under the love and light of your Presence.  Finally, Lord, by your grace, lift up those among us today who feel overwhelmed with the darkness around them; may your peace flood those minds and bring each of us into a Lenten season of true repentance and renewed commitment to living for you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.