Good morning,
This week we have the shortest day of the year that gives us dark nights and short days. Also, this time of this year we seem to be having a flood of moral darkness and hidden sins that people are dragging out for the media to parade in front of us to try to control what they like to think is right way to do things. Alas, exposing darkness doesn’t lead us to the light. The Lord has allowed us to celebrate the birth of Jesus to remind us that in a world full of the darkness of sin, God would give us a light that would take the place of the darkness with an eternal light that can not be put out by anyone or any circumstances. David recognized this truth when he wrote, Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.(Ps.25:4,5) Even though David was born many years before Jesus was born, he already knew his God well enough to pray, Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.(v.7) When Jesus was talking to a man looking for help and direction he said, "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.(John3.16) While our world is full of hate filled people, God did not send his Son to punish us. Instead Jesus took our punishment on that cruel cross so that he could save us from the darkness all around us.
A little later, Jesus told the people around him, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”(John 8:12) The problem we face when we hear this good news is that that God is giving us a choice that requires the work of his Holy Spirit if we are actually going to listen and obey. Our Enemy does his best to get us to look for what’s wrong, and then take the role of judge and jury instead of loving like Jesus loves us. Jesus is asking us to rely on the Holy Spirit to give us his strength to make allowances for their faults, forgiving them for their sins, because that is what Jesus does for each of his children.(Col.3:13) Jesus also reminds us that when we are praying, our unforgiveness for others faults will lead God to refuse to forgive us until we do what we are told. There is one more thing we need to remember. Jesus reminded his disciples, We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.(John9:4) It’s really true, Jesus could come back any day. He longs for us to live by the light that he has given us so that when he comes we will be ready to welcome his awesome light, and live the rest of eternity in God’s perfect light. Even so come, Lord Jesus!
John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
Roy Wisner
