John 12:35,36 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” (NIV)
Jesus spoke these words to the crowds of people and the Pharisees on Palm Sunday after he entered Jerusalem. He spoke these words knowing the darkness that he would suffer in the week ahead. He spoke those words knowing of the three hours of darkness the world would experience during his redemptive act on the cross. Later in verse 46 of John chapter 12, he stated, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” A few weeks earlier in his ministry, Jesus had spoken to the people and simply stated, “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).
Have you ever been on a cave tour and experienced dark so thick you could feel it? What a relief when you saw the light again and knew that the light will be your guide to the path from the darkness of the cold cavern to the light of the sun outside! Without the light in that cave, truly the group would not have known where they were going. As the passages above testify, whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.
Darkness creeps into our lives in many ways–not only in what we see with our eyes during the night, but also in our thoughts and actions. Often our journeys and challenges lead us to feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. We often don’t seem to know where we are going or which direction to turn regarding the many decisions we have to make each day.
When you get lost and your thoughts are dark, remember whom you can look to for light. Remember whom you can trust to show you the way out of the darkness.
Jesus knew of the darkness he would face and of the upcoming darkness of the world that was coming on that Friday. Jesus also understands our dark days. We can turn to him who directly tells us that he is the light, the way out of the darkness, the way to become children of the light. During this Easter season what a joy it is to ponder this again and be reminded of the power of God over sin, death, and our own darkness! What a joy to know the grave is empty and that Jesus is not a dead God but a living Savior whose light can be our guide!
Dear Jesus, thank you for being willing to face such incredible darkness so that we could become children of the light. This Easter and always, please shine within us so that we can live each day as children of the light. And make us bold to share your powerful light with others in our families and communities. Amen.