Light Shines
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “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
When our daughters were young, we took a family trip to Mammoth Cave. I remember a particular tour when the tour guide wanted to demonstrate how dark the cave would have been for the first people who might have entered, and after preparing us for the moment, he turned off all the lights. We were instructed to put a hand in front of our eyes to try to see it - of course, we couldn’t. After a few minutes went by, he lit a match - a single match. It was amazing to realize how much we could see with that single, tiny flame. A little light goes a long way in complete darkness.
In John, ch. 7, and continuing into ch. 8, Jesus and his disciples are in Jerusalem for the Festival of Booths/Tabernacles. Heidi De Jonge describes the Feast like this:
“This feast was instituted by the Lord in Leviticus – a seven day festival to commemorate the Lord’s provision for the Israelites as he led them out of Egypt and into the wilderness – led them by a cloud and a fiery pillar….. For seven days, the Israelites were supposed to live in tents/booths. ...The significance of the feast of tabernacles was less the little leafy tabernacles that the Israelites built, and more the light that streamed through the leaves over their heads – not the light of the sun – but the light of the fiery pillar that led them by night to each resting place on their journey. The first century Jewish philosopher, Philo, noted the importance of the timing of this festival. On the first day of the festival – the fifteenth day of the seventh month – the sun’s setting was followed directly by the rising of the moon – a continuous light – which pointed beyond itself to the continuous light of God. It was during this festival that Jesus spoke the words: I am the light of the world. For the Jews, Jesus was the fulfillment of the feast of tabernacles.”
God’s presence had been with the people of Israel as a guiding light, and in the midst of the festival that remembers God’s mighty acts, Jesus reveals himself as that same guiding light that is present with them now. He speaks the second “I AM” saying that is typical of John’s gospel, another saying that reveals Jesus as God’s son. Of course, there will be some who take offense at Jesus’ claim to be God, and they will remain in darkness. John, however, declared at the beginning of the gospel that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (1:5) and “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world (1:9).”
Following Jesus does not mean there will never be darkness around us. No one is immune to dark times; some of life’s circumstances make the world seem like a very dark place. It becomes difficult to see clearly or to see a way into the light. Sometimes it’s a diagnosis or loss of employment or a broken relationship or navigating the challenges caused by a pandemic. Jesus’ proclamation holds a promise - he is the light that shines through the darkness. He lights the way so that we can follow the path that leads to life and wholeness. Life isn’t always easy; sometimes it is very difficult and quite complicated. But in the darkest times, even the smallest light shines bright; even the smallest light reveals a path. Jesus promises to shine in order to show us the way.
Let us pray - Lord Jesus Christ, you are the light that overcomes all darkness. Help us to see when we are scared, lonely, or overwhelmed. Reveal your holy presence in our time of need. This we pray in your holy name. Amen.