Reflections for Lent

John 12:34-50 NRSV

The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.” Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God. Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.”

From Darkness to Light

It is close to Jesus’s time to be “lifted up”! He is fully aware of what is coming. He knows how He will leave this world, and yet He purposely moves toward that cross; He moves toward that event that will change the world forever! On His way to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, crowds gather around Him. It is at this time Jesus gives His last public message. Many have personally heard Him speak, and others have seen or heard of the miracles He has performed. Some have become believers, and some have rejected His teachings.

Sadly, some want to believe but are afraid of offending Jewish leaders and losing their position in society and the synagogue. Jesus told the crowd that the Light would soon leave them but urged them to trust in the Light, trust in all He taught them! Have you ever been in total darkness? I mean, you cannot see your hand in front of your face darkness- the absolute absence of Light. Not too long ago, my husband and I were visiting Carlsbad Caverns. Caves are fascinating and can be strangely beautiful. On the other hand, they can be a bit scary. There are bats and strange insects.

 As part of the tour experience, the guide turned off the lights, and suddenly, we were in complete darkness. I felt completely vulnerable and disorientated. Then the tour guide lit a match. The entire cave was illuminated. Just one little flame allowed us to see everything clearly again. Jesus is our Light. His words and life lead us out of the worldly darkness. His sacrifice saved us from eternal darkness. He said for us in John 12:36, “…to believe in the Light, that you may become sons of light.” I want to be a “son of light.” I want my Light to grow in the Truth, which is the word of God, so my Light shines brighter. 

~Patty Stafford~ 

Dear Lord, please guide me in living a life that reflects Your love, Your wisdom, and Your compassion so I can be a better and brighter “son of light”.