Lenten Reader | Day 6

February 20th, 2024

Light

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

John 3:16-21

“Mommy! I’m scared!” 
 
Few words summoned me faster to the bedside of my 3-year-old child. I hoped that the nightly ritual of a bedtime story, a nightlight, and prayers would prepare my child for a peaceful night’s sleep, but alas the fears were very real. I tried several strategies: putting the cherished, trusted stuffed animal on guard in role of protector and providing “monster spray” to eliminate perceived threats; but these failed, and the pleas of my precious child woke me on a regular basis. Then the ultimate solution – arming my child with a flashlight to brightly illuminate any portion of the room at a moment’s notice.  
 
The word “light” spoke to me. It stood out as a main thesis regarding God’s gift of His Son, Jesus. The word “light” is used often throughout the Old and New Testaments (272 times in the King James Version!). Additionally, there are many common phrases that enter our daily speech such as: bring to light, light years, and light at the end of the tunnel. 
 
In this passage, John’s use of “light” is a metaphor for Jesus as the way and purpose. We are called to live our lives in a way that radiates the light of Jesus, whose sacrifice through the time of darkness gives all who believe the ultimate gift of eternal life. Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46). We are to walk in the light.  
 
During Lent approaching Easter, we look toward the light as comfort. Through God’s word we are aware of the darkness of Christ’s persecution and crucifixion, and as believers we know the rest of the story, the ultimate light His resurrection offers. 
 
We are His children. In times of joy and of sorrow, He has provided the most comforting light we could seek...His Son, Jesus Christ.  
 
Debbie Zurmehly