Walk in the light

By Dean Collins

It has happened to me more than once, and you would think I would learn. How about you? Have you ever repeated the same mistake and gotten the same result? 

 I sleep better in a room that is completely dark, which sets up a problem I have had more than once: walking in the darkness. It might be that I forgot to set the alarm system or wondered if I locked the door. It might be a need to use the bathroom or to get a drink of water, but when I get up in the night, I never turn the light on. While most of the time things work out okay, I have on occasion bumped into a doorframe, a chair, or tripped over something I forgot to put away! Just one little nightlight would have prevented my sore toe or head when I carelessly bumped into a fixed object.

 It was just after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem that John records a prayer from Jesus that sounds similar to part of his prayer in Gethsemane: 

 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”

 And right after this prayer a voice came from heaven with a reply: “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” What a gift of assurance from his father, acknowledging the faithfulness of his son as he marched toward his death and our victory.

 The crowd heard the voice but apparently couldn’t process it and thought it was thunder. Some thought that an angel must have spoken something. Just as it is hard to see in the darkness, it is also hard to accept truth that doesn’t reconcile with the ordinary experiences of life. We often forget that God can and does work beyond the realm of what we can imagine. As Jesus faced the reality of the brutal days ahead, God spoke words of assurance to him that bolstered his resolve to complete his mission.

 The crowd then had a hard time understanding what Jesus said next. Jesus declared that the Son of Man must be lifted up, indicating that he would be lifted up on a cross to die. But that didn’t fit the narrative of Jewish expectations of a savior who would put Rome in its right place and reestablish the strength of Israel.

 Jesus continued his teaching and spoke about the importance of walking in the light rather than walking in the darkness. His words contained much more about how we are to live our lives than my reference to remembering to turn on the light when I get up at night!

 When we choose to walk in the darkness, all kinds of bad things can happen, and eventually they will happen if we remain in the darkness. To walk in the darkness means that we can only experience what is possible from a human perspective, which may not seem so bad if you are a high achiever. But we mustn’t forget that our human efforts do not resolve our problem of sin. To receive forgiveness for our sins we must receive and walk in the light that comes to us through Christ.

 Jesus’ words about walking in the light remind us that though our sins are forgiven, granting us the ability to live in the light of Jesus eternally, we are only on this earth for a set amount of time, and we do not get to choose how long we are here. If we want to make an eternal impact with our lives, then now is the time to walk in the light of Jesus. The light that we reflect may be the only light someone we love sees. We must make good use of our time and resources that we might reveal the light of Christ to a lost and dying world.

 There is sadness in this narrative. John tells us that though some believed Jesus, they would not confess their beliefs because they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. God loves us so much that he gives us the freedom to make choices, but our choices come with consequences. Just as Joshua told the children of Israel that they must choose whom they will serve, we too must choose whether we will walk in ways that gain the attention of the world or walk in the light and receive all the benefits of the abundant life that comes from Christ.

 Father, forgive us for the times we have been careless and stumbled around in the shadows of the darkness. Today we choose to walk in the light of Christ. Our desire is to reflect your glory in every decision we make today. Use us to reveal your love and grace to a world that is filled with darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 Your Time with God’s Word
John 12:27-36, 42-43 ESV

Photo by Dyu - Ha on Unsplash
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