Wednesday, March 18, 2015

A Light in the Midst of the Darkness

“Then Jesus cried out, ‘When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.’” (John 12:44-46 NIV)

This is the time of year I really look forward to.  The long, long winter is coming to an end.  The days are getting longer and the sun is beginning to break through the fading winter overcast.  Long dormant plants are beginning to come to life and green hues are beginning to envelop the brown landscape.  Light once again is overcoming darkness and the changes are unmistakable.  

There have been many research studies showing the negative effects from lack of natural light during the winter months, from the mild “cabin fever” to severe depression.  As the daylight hours increase in spring, these effects dissipate.  The light of the sun literally has a transformative effect, not just on the landscape, but on people as well.

I do not think it is coincidence that Jesus refers to Himself as the “light of the world” (John 8:12) or to those who follow Him by the same description (Matthew 5:14).  Light represents hope.  Light represents change and transformation.  And when Jesus came into the world, He came to bring hope and transformation to the lives of hopeless and sinful people.  

The results were amazing.  Lepers healed.  Prostitutes and tax collectors set free from lives of sin.  Unschooled, ordinary men transformed into men who would change the world.  People in darkness set free by the Light.

As it has been since the Fall, our world has been shrouded in darkness; however, as Isaiah predicted, when Jesus came, “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

While we enjoy the coming of spring and with it the longer and warmer days, and the transforming of winter’s dull landscape, still there are so many who remain in spiritual darkness.  They have not experienced the Light and been set free from the darkness of their sin.  

Today, remember you are the light of the world because you have the Light living within you.  Just as He brought you out of darkness and transformed you, He desires to do the same for others who are in need of hope in the midst of a dark and cold “winter” that never seems to end.  

© Jim Musser 2015

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