JOHN 3:17-21 THE LIGHT OF TRUE SIGHT

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

Light reveals while darkness obscures. Anyone who has heard a noise in the night and gone to investigate without turning on the lights knows that no matter how familiar the terrain, negotiating a stroll in the dark is a shin-bruising, head-bumping undertaking. Of course, turning on the light not only reveals the obstacles in your path, but also reveals your presence to whoever might be prowling about. Likewise it would be most brazen for any burglar to switch on the room lights of the house he is robbing. Rather, the tradition is to wear back and carry a flashlight if necessary.

Although the light exposes all that is in the room, it no more condemns the intruder than it does the coffee table. He is condemned by what he is doing and the fact that he is doing it under the cover of darkness. A stranger who made a mistake and entered the wrong house would have naturally turned on the lights only to discover her error. Someone found in the dark would find it most difficult to convince anyone that he had made an honest mistake.

The light of Christ not only illumines our world but also our lives. The example and teaching of Christ not only enlightens us to the truth but brings light into those areas of our being that are otherwise hidden from others and ourselves. The revelation of God’s will for us through the Incarnation shines the light of truth on our lives so that we can experience integrity between our motives and actions. We are only condemned when we choose to switch off the light or refuse to look at what the light reveals, thereby cutting ourselves off from the path of correction and redemption.

Shine Jesus, shine in my life so that I can see the dark corners and root out the detritus of old lies, misdeeds and unfaithfulness. Show forth my need for you and the path you have placed before me in order that I might walk in obedience to your will. Enlighten me by your Spirit that I may live by the truth a life pleasing to God. Amen.