Light in the darkness

TROWEL & SWORD

John de Boer

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 story is told of a ship’s captain who, one pitch black night, spots a light dead ahead on a collision course with his vessel. He sends a warning “Change your course ten degrees east”. The light replies “Change your course 10 degrees west”. The captain responds angrily “I’m a captain in the United States Navy! Change your course sir”. “I’m a seaman second class” comes the reply, “Change your course sir”. Now the captain is furious. “I’m a battleship! I’m not changing course!” There’s one last reply: “I’m a lighthouse. It’s your call”

It’s an amusing story but one that highlights an important truth: darkness is dangerous, unless we have a light to guide us. Those who get up regularly in the night know what it is to stumble and, at times, hurt themselves. Who drives at night without their headlights on and, when there’s a power blackout, who doesn’t search for the candles or a torch? We’re not designed to function too well in the dark.

The same is true in our spiritual lives and the evidence is all around us. God is the most important reality in the universe, but how often is He mentioned in the daily newspaper, by the radio talk back hosts, or on TV? And why is He disregarded by so many of our political leaders? One writer has said “it is like an ant on an anthill not believing in the earth”. In the same vein, why is it that people today know so much more than those who have gone before; and have made incredible advances in technology, science and medicine – but so many do not know Him who created it all?

I’m writing these lines the week before the AFL Grand Final. It begs the question: Why are so many passionate about sport, or have a heart for worthwhile causes such as the environment, world hunger or child poverty - but have no heart for God and His Gospel? And for those who are shopping in today’s spiritual supermarket, why is the truth of Christ and His cross just one option among many?

The Bible makes it clear (no pun intended) that these people are in the dark and, lest we look down our noses at them, let’s not forget that were it not for the grace of God we would be too. Consider the following: But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble (Prov 4:19).

Isaiah 59:9,10 is even more graphic: we look for light but all is darkness; for brightness but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way, like men without eyes…At midday we stumble as if it were twilight.

Here we see the tragedy of the unbeliever: While he would not dream of driving his car without lights at night, he happily drives the car of his life in the darkness of unbelief until, finally, he ends up in the place of utter darkness, never to see light again. It’s a shocking thought and makes Jesus’ words in the Temple (above) all the more striking.

It was the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, that week long feast where God’s people remembered their forty year trek in the desert. Commentators speak of the lighting of four large candelabra in the Temple on the opening night, as a reminder of the pillar of cloud (by day) and fire (by night) that accompanied God’s people in the desert. Also significant in this connection are the OT promises of the coming Messiah who will be a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison, and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness (Is 42:6).

On the last day of the Feast the candles were snuffed out and the Temple was darkened. It is then that Jesus chooses to speak those memorable words, the second of the “I AM” sayings in John’s Gospel: I am the light of the world… The connection – and impact - would not have been lost on the Jews at the time, and the robust interchange between Jesus and the leaders which follows is testimony to that.

The statement itself is profound. Literally it reads “I, I am the light of the world” and Jesus was not stuttering. He calls Himself by the name God gave to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:14), a name so sacred that Jews would not take it on their lips. It is a claim to Deity and breathtaking in its scope.

We do well to ponder the significance of His words. By its very nature light exposes; it shows what we would otherwise not see in the dark. Here Jesus reveals that He is the Saviour, the one who alone can dispel the darkness of sin and unbelief and guide us on the journey of life so that we don’t get hurt.

It also shows who we are. In a Back to God Hour sermon David Feddes has written: “It’s easy to live in denial, and walk in darkness and pretend that you’re a pretty good person, and that your sins are not that serious. But that’s like looking at a mirror in the dark and telling yourself how great you look” What’s needed is to step into Jesus’ light, and that’s no small challenge! When you see the holiness of His life; or reflect on His passion for doing the Father’s will; or consider His love for the unlovely; or the depth of His relationship with God – how well do you measure up? It’s a sobering thought.

Of course one can reject all of this and, like a nocturnal animal, scurry back into the darkness. In Jesus’ day many took that option and John, in an earlier passage, writes The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it...He was in the world (but) the world did not recognise Him…His own did not receive Him. (Jn 1:4,10,11) In fact they went one step further and tried to extinguish the light permanently by having Jesus crucified. However, He upset their plans and rose from the dead. The light of the world overcame the dark powers of death and sin, and now it is here to stay. The tragedy is that many still opt for the rejection option, and we must fervently pray that God will open their blind eyes before it is too late.

There is a better way, one that He opens to us and brings us into by grace - the life of “following” Him - and what makes it so beautiful is that this is for “whoever”. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’ve done (or not done); no matter how badly you have sinned, or terribly you have fallen, anyone can come to Jesus and receive His gift of eternal life. All they need to do is repent of their sin and turn to Him in faith. It’s the beauty of the Gospel, a truth so simple our youngest children can understand it, but so deep that our best theologians will never plumb its depths.

It’s a reminder, too, of the wonder of grace. Jesus radiated heaven’s glory but willingly veiled that to live in the darkness of this sin-cursed world. More striking is the truth that He went through the darkness of God-forsakenness on Calvary’s cross so that we could come into His light.

Jesus calls it the “light of life” for it is the only true and eternal life. No longer are we on a collision course with the God who made us, or in the dark about life, this world, the future and ourselves. Nor are we without hope, help in the tough times, or confidence in the face of death’s darkness. All is revealed as He shines the light of grace into our heart and causes the light of His word to shine on the path of our life.

As the New Testament unfolds it’s hardly surprising that this becomes another metaphor for the Christian life. We are sons of the light (1 Thess 5:5) and called to live accordingly. In another passage Paul reminds us that you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light… (Eph 5:8) and, once again, this truth is nailed home by specific applications that cover the whole gamut of Christian life and experience.

We do well to pause and ask ourselves the question: Is it happening? Are we walking in the light of Him who is the light of the world? Do others see us living faithful and consistent Christian lives, and radiating the joy of the Lord as we live in the light of eternity? Dear reader, I can only leave you with the question and ask you to examine your heart before the Lord, as I must also do.

In the process it may be that His light shows up a dark patch or two, perhaps a secret sin, or an unwillingness to forgive a past hurt. It may be an ungodly attitude such as pride, jealousy, or bitterness; or a half-heartedness about spiritual things that shows in a faith that is dull, colourless and boring. And while on the subject: If the light of the world fixed His gaze on our business dealings, DVD collection, or computer hard drive, what would He find? It’s food for thought.

Let us also consider the plight of the society around us that lives in the dark. How will they get the light they desperately need? His earthly ministry ended some 2000 years ago and He is no longer with us.

Here we come to the crucial role of the Lord’s people for the wellbeing of this nation and the world. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus describes us as salt (who preserve a decaying society) and light (Mt 5:14) (who illumine a dark world). The implication is twofold: we are the only hope for both, and we must endeavour to let Christ’s light shine before men so that they, too, will come into it.

That truth is not an unfamiliar theme for Reformed people, although the consistency of our application may be challenged at times. Not so familiar may be the associated truth that we also pray for the blessing of revival. Synod 2006 included this in the Fourfold Task for our churches and the refrain of “Shine Jesus Shine” (BoW 182) says it well:

Shine, Jesus shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory;

Blaze Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river flow, flood the nation with grace and mercy;

Send forth your Word, Lord and let there be light.

Thus we have seen a progression. The Light of the world has shone into the darkness of this world. By grace He has shone into the darkness of our hearts to bring us into His light, and now we walk in it. Others, again by grace, are attracted and come into that same light. The cycle continues until the great day when our Saviour returns and no other light will even be needed again. It is a truly glorious thought:

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. Rev 21:23-25

It is the hope of the Gospel - but still future. For the moment we are like those who have stood for the majestic Hallelujah chorus in Handel’s Messiah but then sit again to await the end of the show. The Light has shone in the darkness. For God’s Old Testament people it was a pillar of fire; we have something far better, Jesus Himself, the light of the world. Let us walk in that light and seek with all our heart to have it shine through us. It is the only hope for our nation and this world. The need is great and the time is short. May God have mercy and to Him be the glory.

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