Thursday, May 3

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018

"This is the verdict:  Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." (John 3:19-22)

These verses highligh a common theme that runs through John's Gospel and the his letters:  light and darkness.  The Light comes from God Almighty and reveals truth, while the darkness represents worldliness and runs from the truth.  John starts his Gospel by declaring Jesus to be "the true light that gives light to everyone." (1:9)  Jesus later describes Himself with this title:  "I am the light of the world.  Whovever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

From the holistic portrait of John's Gospel, we may see that these statements from John 3 tie together with the rest of the narrative.  Importantly, the "light" does not refer merely to a concept or a set of ideals.  Rather, God reveals the "light" to us through His Son.  By following and trusting Him, we "live by the truth" so that we may "come into the light."  This transformation emerges from our relationship with the living Light of the World; we cannot create it on our own.

A battle rages within us and in the world between the light and the darkness.  It sometimes feels as if we are being pulled out with the tide — that the world's darkness will overcome us.  Yet, we have promises from the Word that Jesus is greater than he who is in the world.  Indeed, we receive repeated exhortations to "stand firm" from the Lord Himself and from the New Testament letters.  These exhortations are more than vain hopes; rather, with the guiding and empowering of the Holy Spirit, we have the resources to stand firm until the end, bringing great joy along the way.

Lord God, make us hungry and thirsty for Your presence, Your light.  Help us not to be satisfied with anything or anyone less than Yourself.  Transform our hearts and minds today so that we may bless our family, friends, and neighbors.  Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit to stand firm today and to bring You honor in what we think, say, and do.  In Jesus's Name, amen.