As we begrudgingly adjust our clocks for Daylight Savings Time this week, we find ourselves grappling with the transition into shorter nights and longer days. It's a time many of us despise, yet ironically, we yearn for the extended daylight it promises.
But what lies at the heart of this paradox? Beyond the inconvenience of changing our clocks, there's a deeper longing for light in our lives – a longing that transcends mere daylight hours.
In Ephesians 2, the apostle Paul paints a vivid picture of the world enshrouded in darkness. He speaks of a time when humanity was held captive by the ruler of the kingdom of the air, walking in disobedience and transgression. It's a bleak portrayal of the human condition, one marked by spiritual death and separation from God.
Yet, amidst this darkness, there is a glimmer of hope. Paul reminds us that God, in His infinite mercy and love, did not abandon us to our fate. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate beacon of light in a world consumed by darkness.
In the Gospel of John, we encounter Jesus speaking to Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again. He draws a parallel between His own impending sacrifice and the story of Moses lifting up the snake in the wilderness. Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent for healing, so too must we look to Jesus for salvation.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. These words echo through the ages, offering a message of hope and redemption to all who are willing to receive it.
But embracing the light requires a willingness to confront the darkness within ourselves. We must acknowledge our own propensity for sin and disobedience, recognizing that apart from Christ, we are lost in the shadows.
Yet, there is hope. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are offered the gift of salvation and eternal life. We are no longer slaves to darkness but children of the light, called to walk in the footsteps of our Savior.
As we journey through the Lenten season, let us not shrink from the darkness, but rather, let us confront it with courage and conviction. Let us embrace the light of Christ, allowing it to illuminate our path and guide our steps.
And let us not keep this light to ourselves but extend the invitation to others, inviting them to experience the transformative power of God's love. As Easter approaches, may we be bold in sharing the hope we have found in Jesus Christ, for in Him, there is life abundant and everlasting.
So, during this fourth week of Lent, may we be a people who walk in the light, shining brightly in a world that so desperately needs to see.
Watch the full sermon on which this post is based.