The Power of the Light

 

John 1: 4-5

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The power of light over darkness is without challenge; it only takes the smallest of light to dispel darkness.  But the light that verses four and five make reference to is the light of the Spirit of the living God, that light will give you clarity in a evil and dark world of sin. 

Do you recall your imagination when you were a small child, the images and ideas that came into your mind, and how you formed images of the voice on the radio and in the books you read, I believe television has stolen much of our imagination today.  But I’m asking you to imagination yourself in the time that Jesus walked on the earth, you are a member of a Jewish family, and your life is built around the customs and traditions of your religion, and that means all Jewish boys learned to read and write in their own family, and the book that was used was the Bible.  You have learned how to assimilate the history of Israel, the election, the promises, the covenants, and the law is your guide.  You have learned to sing the psalms and each Sabbath you and your family are at the synagogue.  You have grown up under Roman rulers and as a people you resented the Roman government, that is a mild understatement, you hate Rome and it’s appointed king Herod.  As a Jew, your world was divided into two types of people: Jewish and Gentile, and that meant anyone who was not Jewish.  Rome gave you some freedom of religion, but your court system (the Sanhedrin) was limited in what it could do, it no longer had the right to put someone to death without Rome’s approval.

That is the world you live in and this new teacher comes to your village and says, “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)  Now as you imagine yourself in this setting, let your mind go back to what had just taken place before Jesus said the words above.  Jesus is at the temple teaching those who gathered around him and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in the act of adultery.  And these are the words they spoke and you and all that had gathered knew them to be the Law of Moses.  “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.  So what do you say?” (John 8:4-5) You and all who have gathered to hear this new Teacher are amazed, he does not speak but begins to write on the ground, and then he stands and says; “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” He once more began to write on the ground and it was amazing, the older men left first and then the younger and no one was left to condemn her.  “Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Women, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?”  “No one, sir” she said.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.  “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:10-11)

You may still be wondering what did Jesus write, why did they all leave?   Now he has said that He is the light of the world and if I follow him I will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  One of the Pharisees challenged him, and told him his testimony was not valid.  Now Jesus said a lot but this I will never forget; “I am the one who bears witness for myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” (John 8:18) 

At this point you can stop imagining, but you must make a choice just like that group that came to Jesus that day.  Do you accept that Jesus is the giver of life and that He has the ability, no matter what condition you are in, to give you a new spirit and this light of life, or do you reject it?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

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