Darkness Has Not Overcome
Read: John 1:1-5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (v. 5) We hear so much about spiritual darkness today, and we who love the light can feel a sense of overwhelm or even panic as we look around and see things we cherish challenged, mocked, and overturned, while […]
Shrewd Children of Light?
Read: Luke 16:1-15 The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. (v. 8 NIV) It’s always bothered me a bit that Jesus told us to be wise as serpents (Matthew […]
Light for Revelation
Read: Luke 2:25-35 My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. (vv. 30-32) Simeon, who spoke these words over the infant Jesus, was a very spiritual man. Luke called him “righteous,” and “devout,” […]
Secrets Come to Light
Read: Mark 4:21-25 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. (v. 22) We live in an age of incredible scientific discovery. While quantum physics describes nature at the smallest scales of energy, and molecular biology pulls apart DNA, both sciences unraveling mysteries of light […]
How Great the Darkness
Read: Matthew 6:22-23 If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! (v. 23) Jesus speaks about the absurdity of lighting a lamp then covering it up; a few moments later he takes his metaphor “out of the basket.” His listeners are invited from visual imagination to visceral reality. Jesus is […]
The Light in You
Read: Matthew 5:13-16 Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God. (v. 16 MSG) Jesus tells a crowd at the temple, “I am the light of the world” (John […]
Great Light in the Darkness
Read: Matthew 4:12-17 The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light. (v. 16) Epiphany is known as the “season of light,” yet is celebrated in the darkest days of the northern hemisphere. Such a season marked the visit of the wise men to worship Jesus, the “great light” who has illuminated a formerly […]
Light of God Veiled
Read: Habakkuk 3:1-6 His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. (v. 4) Watching the sun dip into Lake Michigan on a wintery evening is glorious, but darkness comes early and swiftly. Perhaps God closes his hand to veil the power of light, but whether we […]
The Good Light of Exposure
Read: Micah 7:7-9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment . . . He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication. (v. 9) The idea of exposure often carries with it the murky film […]