Growing up on the Gulf Coast had its disadvantages. One of the hurricanes of the 1970s took the power out and we spent a week in the dark. For a kid, it was like camping. We could pretend we were Laura Ingalls Wilder roughing it across the open prairie.
In modern American life, we aren’t required to wrestle with darkness very often. There’s always a light on somewhere. The electricity keeps our light always on and our distractions always at our fingertips.
I can only imagine the powerful imagery of scripture to those in the first century who read John’s gospel letter. (Speaking of Jesus)…
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. John 1:5
And,
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he 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
Later in his ministry, the Apostle John wrote more about the light and dark in letters to the church. For John, anyone who loves God is in the light. Anyone who does not love God is in darkness. John wrote that people who hate others are wandering around “and do not know where they are going because the darkness has blinded them” (1 John 2:11).
The darkness makes us blind. Jesus is the light.
This sounds like an overly simplified metaphor. There’s much more to John’s message. But I think this ancient understanding of dark and light is important. It helps us to see why the message of Jesus is “good news of great joy for all people” (Luke 2:10).
When Jesus started to preach to the people, he quoted Isaiah’s prophesy about the coming Messiah. “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16).
Not only was Jesus the light in the darkness, but he also allowed those blinded by the darkness to see. He came to free people from the curse of death, which is eternal darkness. His light is eternal and the darkness flees in its presence.
Light is good news!
Why was the Light in the darkness good news of great joy to all people? The Light came into our darkness to give us hope and help. The Light came as a gift of love to give us life forever with God. In my darkness, I was lost and helpless until the Light came to show me the way.
The next time you flip on a light switch, try to imagine what your life would be like without light!
Copyright@ TA Boland 2023
Image: Unsplash
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