Lent Midweek 3

March 15, 2023

Text – St. John 8: 12-18

Promised Treasures

“Light Shining in Darkness”

The 41st President, back in his day, described the benefit of 1000 points of light and how it could make for a better people and a better country.  It is fine political rhetoric, but it is based on poor theology.  The idea that we are basically good and readily do good things does not take into account man’s inhumanity and what the Bible describes as the total depravity of Adam’s children since the fall.

However, add the Lord into the equation and what He can do for us and how Christ has redeemed us and how the Holy Spirit renews us then there is something that can truly benefit our neighbor. 

As we are illumined by God, we reflect the one Light that has enlightened the world.

Darkness is disconcerting and troubling, and it can be absolute.  A cavern tour where you are brought into a large chamber and the lights are turned off so that you can’t even see your hand held an inch before your eyes can send a shiver down your back with the thought that perhaps the lights won’t come back on and how impossible it would be to inch your way back to the entrance of that cave.

On the other hand, deep down secrets we spend so much time covering up finally coming to light can be just as troubling.  When our sins are revealed by “Light from above”: it evokes shame in us before our God and Judge who we never deceived, and it can be horribly embarrassing before our loved ones and co-workers.  

  When darkness surrounds you, it almost presses down on you.   However, usually all it takes is one candle to shatter the darkness.  Light makes the atmosphere less eerie.  A lone candle brings light and warmth.  Or as I used to sing back in my college days…

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

And soon all those around can warm up to its glowing.

That’s how it is with God’s love…

Tonight, we continue in our consideration on Promised Treasures with light as our focus, with light as a very basic need.

The theme is dominant in all our readings today.  The very first thing that God created was light.  “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light…  And it was very good!”  God even separated the light from the darkness which pre-existed.  In our reading from John’s Gospel, Jesus calls Himself “the Light of the world.”  Not only did God create light at the beginning of creation, but He also sent the light of the world in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, and Redeemer.

Since you are now united with Christ and your heavenly Father through Holy Baptism and faith, you are also light in this world.  In Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  Because of Christ’s connection to you, St. Paul says in our third reading from Ephesians, “You were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”

The theme of light and darkness is everywhere in the Bible.  Throughout the rich history of the Church, we have always recognized the significance of light and made use of it in every worship service.  In the Early Church, after candidates were instructed in the faith, they left a very dark room where they renounced Satan and then entered a brightly lit room before they were baptized.  Then, after their Baptism, they received a lighted candle (just as we observed this past Sunday with the three Baptisms that took place at this altar and at this font) to remind the newly Baptized that they are now light in the Lord of Light.   A simple candle signifies that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and that He now dwells within them… within us, shining through our lives.

When you hold a candle, you sense its warmth and gain a secure view of everything around you.  It enlightens you.  How secure do many others feel in this dark world in which we live without light, hope, and peace?  How many even recognize the darkness of world and heart when left in the wake of our sin? How about the consequences due those who prefer darkness and remain in it? 

Outside these doors, there is immense darkness — a darkness that continues to try and strangle our world.  This darkness blinds people from the truth and makes many feel hopeless and purposeless.  Darkness always tries to choke out the light.  That is why St. Paul clearly says to us, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them… When anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.”

How open are you to being exposed by the light of truth and God’s Word?  Do you really want God to expose your life under His bright beam?  Often, I am like Adam, trying to hide from God, who walked in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day.  It was not until God finally said to Adam, “Where are you?” that Adam faced the light.  

At other times, I am tempted to hide my light like Peter, who denied his Lord in the public light of others.  None of us wants to be exposed with our sin because that means we must admit our weakness, and change and repentance are expected.  My flesh would rather run into the dark than step into the light to protect reputation and preserve some semblance of respectability.  However, if I refuse God’s honest Word, I refuse His light.  Our sinful nature is much more comfortable in the dark than in the light.  In the dark the true, fallen self feels safe and secure when nothing could be further from the truth.  But God knows your heart… and mine.  He knows our adulterous thoughts, greedy intent, and lustful and covetous thoughts. Nothing has been hidden from His gaze. Those deeds we think we have gotten away with and of which no one is aware… He knows, even if we don’t immediately suffer the consequences.  He knows and our sin doesn’t just disappoint Him.  It angers Him.  It places us under His due condemnation.  

Jesus called the Pharisees whitewashed tombs because they looked great on the outside.  Their exterior righteousness was on display for others to envy.  But inside, Jesus knew they were dead man’s bones.  Their deeds were respectable, but their hearts were more self-absorbed and far from God.  They desired more the praise of men than of the Lord! 

This Lenten season, God shines His light anew on you, your heart, and your life for your good.  He exposes all that is not right in our thoughts, words, and deeds, not that we should run and hide from Him, but so that we should die to our dark sin and graciously receive His light, love, and forgiveness through Jesus’ wounds and words.

That is what Lent is all about.  More than giving up certain things such as meat, chocolate, alcohol, sweets, chocolate, or social media… or chocolate for a period of forty days, Lent is about dying to my sin because nothing of that is in any way good for us now or ever.  Christ Jesus died for me… us, bearing all our sins.  Lent exposes my old life in order to bury it in Christ’s tomb.  It is buried there so that on Easter I may arise with Him again, joyfully in the light of His resurrection, yearning hopefully and fervently for that final “body and soul” resurrection on the Last Day.  Jesus Christ is the true light who gives light to every man.  Although His life was extinguished on the cross amid total mid-day darkness, Jesus bore the full weight of this world’s sin and moral and spiritual darkness in order to bring true light to us and the world.  Jesus was alone and forsaken by God enduring the punishment that we should have borne, and yet by such rejection, Jesus brought light and life to the world and crushed the darkness of sin, death, and hell forever.  The cross always brightly reflects joy, love, and mercy in the midst of divine justice being played out because Jesus suffered there to bring light and love to each of us.  Even though “your sins are like scarlet, they are now as white as snow.”  From His cross shines a new beam!  It pierces through your darkest, most depressive thoughts and now through its Gospel light fills you with peace and joy.  The light of Jesus shines like the sun, and, like the moon, you reflect His light to others.

Have you ever visited with someone who came out of the gloom or shadow of darkness?  Maybe they were grieving the death of a loved one, or perhaps they were badly broken through a lost friendship or relationship.  Over time, you listened to them and prayed with them or for them.  Over time, and after continued words of holy comfort, they regained their joy and light.  Perhaps it was even you that needed that comfort which was generously provided.  Soon, it is realized that the clouds of pain had passed, and the bright light of Christ’s cross beamed again with grace, forgiveness, love, and mercy.  Dear friend, Christ’s light continues to shine through you and your words every day.  Christ’s light in His Word and by His Spirit continues to shine for you, and always will. So, receive Christ’s light again! 

Amen.