John 8 & 9 Close your eyes. Well not yet. Finish this first paragraph then close your eyes. Keep them closed and go back to doing whatever it was you were doing before. Well, not if it will hurt you or anyone else. Be responsible. You're an adult.
How did that go for you? Unless you were already taking a nap or listening to music, the darkness got in the way, it probably completely frustrated whatever you were doing. It could have even been dangerous. Power tools? Butcher knives? Driving? The darkness severely limits you, even makes you dangerous to yourself and others.
This week we get another glimpse of the future, of the coming Kingdom, when Jesus employs the rich biblical metaphor of light and darkness. Do you feel limited, even threatened by the darkness inside you, or the darkness looming around you? Jesus grabs the attention of the crowd during the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem and announces, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The darkness in us and in the world around us will not have the final word. The light of the world is here. Like that crowd 2000 years ago, Jesus will speak to us this Sunday and as the light of the world he will lovingly expose us for our good, then renew us and finally send us out to reflect his light into the lives of others.
I can’t wait to worship together.
Pastor David