On the darkest of nights, Jesus was the Light of the world. When all things seemed hopeless for us - when we couldn't possibly see a way through the darkness of sin, Jesus came to show us the way. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths.
The past months have reminded me that we have been dependent on so much in our world and particular culture. It feels like darkness has fallen and fallen hard. Even when taking things a day at a time, we are tired and discouraged about sickness and death, the media and politicians, the economy, education, and our livelihood. Aren't you so thankful that when we feel the darkness and sadness and sickness of this world closing in around us that we can read and remember that Jesus is the Light? No matter what happens - no matter what we lose or feel like we have lost, we will never lose His light. His promises are true. He is good. He shines light into our darkness.
This may be my favorite "I Am" statement. There are so many verses that come to mind
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." (Genesis 1:1, 3) God created the world with a word. And we know that Jesus was there! "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men." (John 1:1-4; see also Colossians 1).
And possibly my favorite -
"And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." (Revelation 21:23)
From beginning to end, Jesus is the light.
On the eve of the darkest of days, Jesus was the light.
He was the light by loving His disciples and obeying His Father perfectly through humble surrender.
Jesus is the light that pierces the ultimate darkness of sin and death through His own death and
resurrection. He is the true light and the only light we need.
If you are following along on our other readings:
Today, we will read of several snapshots of events leading up to the crucifixion. Each detail is worth taking time to read and sink in. We see Jesus on the move. The cast of characters continues to expand throughout the night. There are many directly quoted speeches in these accounts...almost like you are an eyewitness to the terror of the night, reliving the vivid details of suffering and torture. We see the extreme cost of redemption through the suffering of Jesus in all these scenes. In these scenes we see some of the range of sins for which Jesus died.There are long passages, but short sections. Split them up over the course of the day for your children if that helps.
Here are some of the snapshots we will see:
- The Last Supper and prediction of Peter's denial
- Agony at Gethsemane
- Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
- Jesus' trial before Caiaphas
- Peter's denial
Many of us would have probably been attending services today or tomorrow. Instead, this year, have a meal set aside to remember Jesus in your home. Many of us will remember Jesus by washing one another's feet. In the age of Coronavirus, a great way to springboard into the Gospel with your kids is with feet washing. We've been washing our hands so much trying to stay clean - to keep from getting the virus. Even if we succeed in not getting COVID-19, we cannot wash our hands long enough to take our sins away. Only Jesus can clean our ugly hearts. Washing someone's feet is humbling and kind of gross - Jesus did that and so much more for us. Sit and remember tomorrow or Friday.
Readings
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