Living Stones – Monday, October 23, 2017
Handling the glare
John 3:18-21
“He who believes in Him [Jesus] is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
If you have any hunting experience you would appreciate what it means to be “like a deer caught in the headlights.” Often, vehicles used for hunting are equipped with very bright lights which can be turned on when movement is detected in the trail. The sudden bright lights tend to disorient the animal giving the hunter time to aim and shoot.
Some persons who drive in North America may have also had this experience on the highway when an animal strays onto the road and looks up into rapidly approaching bright car headlights. In these cases it takes an effort by the driver to stop the car before hurting or killing the animal.
The glare – a very harsh, brilliant, dazzling light (blinding light); can cause something to stand out conspicuously, and cause disorientation, discomfort, and also be disconcerting.
When we find ourselves in a dark place we look for light. In our darkest moments light is what we need the most. I remember traveling through the rainforest in Guyana with a friend and our wives when we lost control of the vehicle, it turned turtle and we were left in the dark upside down in our seat-belts and unable to see each other or the ladies. We were in a state of shock and panic but some hunters, out on the trail, detected movement and switched on lights to trap the unsuspecting animals. They found us instead.
However, it doesn’t always work this way. Jesus is here saying that there are times when the lights come on and we seek to resort to darkness. The practice of evil causes one to head for the dark the moment that the lights come on. When we cannot handle the glare because, rather than be a sign of help and hope, what the light represents is exposure and embarrassment.
There are many today who are operating in secrecy, under-cover, on the down-low. Those cannot handle the glare. Their desire is to lurk in the shadows, to pretend that they are different from who they really are. Out amongst us there is one kind of speech and conduct, but in the dark there is another.
This happens because in issues of morals and ethics the darkness is not physical, so that someone could be right next to us but be operating in the dark. Evil doers, those with darkened thinking, darkened, speaking, darkened character, and darkened conduct intermingle with us every day. Unless something slips out of the darkness and comes into the light we never know.
In the face of all that is happening around us Jesus give us hope. We are living in a time when it is confirmed that for all the progress we are making mankind is just as sick and twisted as the day we fell in Eden. It seems like sexual abuse and exploitation, and domestic violence are taking place at unprecedented rates with no end in sight. Many feel hopeless.
Jesus gives us hope in this conversation with Nicodemus. The person who lurks in the shadows, those who love darkness rather than light, may have us fooled, but such a person is already condemned. Such a person cannot handle the glare of the word of God and the truth Jesus brings.
Light is here but many cannot handle the glare. Truth triumphs in the glare.
Think on these things:
- Do you know anyone personally who has been living a double life?
- Are there secret things in your life about which you fear exposure?
- What will you do to help those you know that are victims of things done in the dark?
Prayer focus:
Let us pray today that we would be people of the light ensuring that, in every way, our light shines in the darkness.
In His Grace
Pastor Alex