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Devotional | Cindy Western | Dec 19, 2021
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “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
Several years ago, I visited a friend who had moved to a huge timber area in Oregon. His massive property had a small river running through it, various outbuildings for different lumber and machinery, small barracks for workers to rest during grueling work shifts, and the main house. This area was completely new to me and I didn’t know the property at all; it was vast and seemed to stretch out forever. One night, he had several friends over and we thought it would be fun to hike to the river, and for some reason, I was in the front–leading. We were miles and miles from any city lights and only a sliver of a moon hung low in the sky. Darkness was everywhere we looked.
There was a path to the river, but we couldn’t see our hands in front of our face, let alone where our feet were stepping. My friend assured me he knew the way and could find it in his sleep, so I kept going. The darkness was a mix of terrifying and thrilling, alluring and forbidding. We could hear the rumble of water from the river so we knew we were getting closer. The next thing that happened has been described best by my friend. He said one minute I was in front of him and the next minute I was just gone.
I had found the river. I took a step off a sheer embankment and fell five feet straight down into the river. The drop was just far enough to scare the breath out of all of us, but not so far that I was hurt badly. While the worst of it seemed over once I caught my breath, I was still wet and cold and stood knee-deep in water, a full body length below my friends, in complete darkness. What I needed most wasn’t directions, or a ladder, or even an outreached hand from friends.
I needed light.
“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:2, 6
Isaiah prophesied this promise hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. During Isaiah’s time (and for centuries still to come), corruption and chaos overwhelmed the paradise God had created.
Rebellion, power, pride, conflict, rage, selfishness, greed, and complete moral degradation was ruling the nations, and darkness spread like wildfire until the weight was felt by all. This shroud of darkness contained the sinful souls of all the people. Everything they tried as a rescue plan had failed. The only thing that would save them was light.
God would not leave the world he loved so much in darkness. He sent his Son, the light of the world, to rescue people from themselves. Jesus shined his light in the darkness and the darkness was dispelled. Evil could be dealt with. Paths to righteousness were revealed. Dark places, especially those we set out to plunge ourselves into, either purposefully or otherwise, still exist. But that dark will not–it
cannot–overcome the light. There is always a way into the light, even in the midst of despair.
When I was stranded at the bottom of the embankment in Oregon, light would be my rescuer. One of the friends had run back to the house and gotten his car. We could see his headlights from a long way off, and as he got closer, the whole area was completely engulfed in light. Then, I was rescued in no time. The light overcame the darkness.
This is how the beginning of Creation is described:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:1-4
The arrival of Jesus was captured this way by the gospel of John:
““In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”” John 1:1-5
God saw that the light was good. Everything was created through Jesus. Light was created through Jesus. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
I love these are the lyrics from a beautiful song by songwriter/artist Lauren Daigle. It isn’t marketed as a Christmas Carol, but it really should be. At the end of this week of Advent, let us proclaim glory to the light of the world.
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
The world waits for a miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
A child prays for peace on Earth
And she's calling out from a sea of hurt
And can you hear the angels singing
Glory to the light of the world
Glory the light of the world is here
The drought breaks with the tears of a mother
A baby's cry is the sound of love
Come down, come down, Emmanuel
Oh, He is the song for the suffering
He is Messiah, the Prince of Peace has come
He has come, Emmanuel
For all who wait
For all who hunger
For all who've prayed
For all who wonder
Behold your King
Behold Messiah
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
The world waits for the miracle
Prayer
Dear God, we praise Jesus as the light of the world. He reveals the darkness in our lives, leads us to the light, and brings righteousness. When I find myself wandering in shadows of darkness, or in places of despair, I plead with you to break through with your true light, and lead me home to you, to safety, to your pure love. Amen
Cindy Western
Pastor of Discipleship Materials & Small Groups
Cindy Western is Pastor of Discipleship Materials & Small Groups. She is passionate about helping people experience Jesus through Bible studies, small groups, and community.
cwestern@crossings.church