JOHN 1:4-5 LUNACY

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There are three kinds of darkness. The first is the outer darkness that is the result of the lack of light. Although bad things are associated with such darkness, in itself lack of light is morally neutral. The second kind of darkness is an inner darkness which is the lack of understanding or knowledge. This is the darkness we refer to when we say that someone has seen the light, usually alluding to their having come to know the truth. Obviously ignorance of the truth leads to moral ambiguity. The third kind of darkness is both inner and outer in that it represents evil. Whether it is a dark heart in a person or a dark spiritual atmosphere in a city, it is synonymous with evil.

The Word is the light that dispels all three kinds of darkness. Like the light of the full moon on a particularly clear night allows you to see clearly, and even be able to read text, the Word illumines our darkness and allows us to see reality. He is the light that drives away our spiritual darkness. He is also the true enlightenment of humankind. As the revelation of God’s nature and will he schools us in the truth about God and about ourselves. When we are discipled by the Word the darkness of ignorance and meaninglessness is progressively banished from our thoughts and actions. In addition, the Word is the light of God that drives away the darkness of sin, death and the devil. The deeds of evil are done in the dark, but where there is perfect light there is no darkness.

Not so long ago, our relatives would be sure that they and their children were protected from the light of a full moon while they slept. The reason for this was that they believed that sleeping in the light of the moon would cause an individual to become mentally deranged. This is where we get our terms “lunatic” and “lunacy.” The full moon has long been associated with evil transformations through the myths about werewolves and vampires. The wonder and beauty of a full moon has been interpreted as a sinister enticement leading a man to woe.

When we blamed our misfortune or even the consequences of our misdeeds on God, we are treating the Word like previous generations treated the full moon. We in our darkness have seen a great light, but we have not understood it. Come to the Word which is the divine light and let it illumine your mind and your life.

Jesus, you are the light of the world, the full revelation of God to this sin-darkened people. Through your Spirit open my eyes so that I might see clearly the reality of my life and my world. Transform my darkness into your light and bring me into a living relationship with you. Amen.