John 3:14-21

March 26, 2006

Light Work

How willing are you to walk into the darkness?

Naturally, walking alone though the darkness to get to you car is usually something you dont want to have to do very often. And you surely wouldnt follow a complete stranger down a dark alley. But imagine that you are a high school dance, and your date takes your hand and you walk slowly outside into the dark. Well, thats different.

Darkness is not in itself a bad thing. It is where we go when we are in grief. It is where we go to rest. It is where we go to make hard decisions and to break off relationships. It is where we grow closer to another person. Some of the most meaningful worship can be done in a quiet room with dim lights. God can shine the light in the darkness.

In all of these things, the darkness is not really dark, but a place where the light can still shine.

Nicodemus came to Jesus by night. When he leaves Jesus, it will be in the light. It will still be dark out, but he will leave with the light of Gods love. From darkness to light -- thats not a bad trade. Lets take some time this morning to look at how Jesus brings light to our world, for light is exactly what the world needs now.

When most people think about Nicodemus visit to Jesus in the middle of the night, we think of a Pharisee who didnt want to be seen by his friends. But what if Nicodemus was truly a sincere seeker who wanted to be sure that he could have some time alone with Jesus, out of the public eye? One writer notes that when the Pharisees meet up with Jesus in the daytime, they are there to argue and deliberate with him; Nicodemus comes to listen and to learn. Now, theres something for us to think about. How often, in the name of knowledge, do we simply sit around and harangue one another as we shore up our defenses? To listen and to learn means that we willingly set ourselves aside for a while in order to see the world from anothers perspective? And, if this brings about significant reward when we are with other people, how much more so with Jesus?

Most of the stories about Jesus show him either surrounded by crowds during a time of preaching or teaching or off with his disciples. Jesus also valued one-on-one meetings. As he still does.

Nicodemus came with questions in hand. He had seen some signs (miracles) that Jesus had done and knew that God was behind them (unlike some of his Pharisee brothers). Rather than just take credit for his mighty works, Jesus puts the focus on God and a persons willingness to be born again and born from above.

Both of these descriptions hold true for the person who walk by faith. Flesh is flesh and spirit is spirit except for the human condition as it accepts the spiritual reality of eternal life with God and others.

Have you ever dropped something small like a ring or an earring on the floor of a movie theater? Forget looking for it while the movies still on. But, if you wait for a few minutes after the show, the house lights get turned up all the way and you can see everything on the floor, spilled popcorn and all. But you will be able to find what is lost; you just need to wait for the light.

God so loved the world When the light of Gods love comes in Jesus, it shines brighter than anyone could imagine. It shines brighter than fear, brighter than ignorance, brighter than our sin. In fact, it has the power to save us because its purpose is to save us. It will take Nicodemus the entire gospel to comprehend what Jesus is saying. We dont hear of Nick again until the end of chapter 7 when he speaks out to the other Pharisees to give Jesus a fair hearing. After Jesus dies on the cross, Nicodemus comes with spices and helps to take Jesus to the tomb. After Jesus rises from the dead, Nicodemus will see him.

Not everyone sees, however.

This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light

Lets make one thing clear. Although there have been occasions in which Christians have used this verse to pass judgment on others, that is not the meaning behind this verse, which instead comments that we pass judgment on ourselves when we fail to open our lives up to the light.

Whenever well-meaning Christians say something like: Well, if you do evil, you will pay the price. or even something less condemning like: Youve made your bed, now youve got to lie in it, we fail to understand that Gods love does not work that way. God never gives up on us. Never. Love does not do that. Those who run from Gods light dont understand the love that comes along with it; expecting only judgment, they fail to receive salvation. But God continues to believe in them.

It is running away from light and into the darkness when things go bad. That is why it is important to trust the light to follow us. This was known even before Jesus came. Listen to Psalm 139:7-12 where David argues that there is nowhere you can run from Gods love; it is always seeking you out.

Are we doing a good job with our light work? Can we honestly meet resistance with love, or are we quick to turn off the switch when we meet up with a pocket of darkness? If your lights not bright enough, take another person with you. It is amazing to me how much light is ours to use, if we invite God to hand us the flashlight. Wait, Lord, this is more light than I need. But its just what I need. Its what the world needs, this light of Gods love. Thanks be to God, it is such a bright light. Amen.