Vintage

Series: Follow Me Into The Light

John 8:12

Several years ago, actually, I believe it was January 2004 or 5, some of us in the Fox Hill area got to see one of the most bizarre sights we have ever encountered. It was night time and the light in the distance began to fade in and out, in and out… the whole sky line was lit up in this eerie glow. From our vantage point, it look light Langley might have been bombed. I wanted to go outside to see what I could see, but Ann said don’t go out there… “It might be a nuclear bomb”

Then finally, all the lights went out. Everything was pitch black.

Then we began to ask ourselves two questions: What has happened? And then What are we supposed to do?

This morning, those questions still seem to be valid. For so many of us, the light has gone out and we need to ask ourselves: what has happened and what are we supposed to do.

Back in the Book of Genesis we read the story of creation. God spoke the world into existence:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

During each of the days of creation, God said it was good…

When God created light to invade the darkness we read:

God Saw Light

God saw that the light was good…. Genesis 1:4 (NIV)

When God created the sea and the land we read:

God Saw Sea and Land

And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:10 (NIV)

When God created the trees and vegetation we read:

God Saw Trees and Vegetation

And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:14 (NIV)

When the heavens, sun, moon and stars all took the proper place we read:

God Saw Heavens, Sun, Moon and Stars

And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:18 (NIV)

When the sea creatures were created we read:

God Saw Sea Creatures

And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21 (NIV)

When the land creatures were created we read:

God Saw Land Creatures

And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 (NIV)

On the sixth day of creation, the day before God rested we read:

God Saw Man

God created man in his own image… God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:27, 31 (NIV)

There is something about human beings that is very good indeed. After all, we are created in God’s very image. We are indeed like God.

But, on the other hand, it appears that we are very stupid. Even though we started out int the light we have ended up in the darkness. There seems to be something in us that loves darkness rather than light.

These are the words of Jesus in the gospel of John.

People Loved Darkness

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

John 3:19 (NIV)

This darkness entered the world through disobedience in the Garden… and maybe even more so through by running and hiding. It is one thing to mess up, but it is another to mess up and then hide what you have done.

Choosing to Hide

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”

He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Genesis 3:8-10 (NIV)

That is the story of mankind ever since. The Darkness has led us into sin. The sin has revealed our own nakedness, shame, guilt that we can’t do anything about… and we become afraid… so we hide… we move even deeper into the darkness.

The only path to healing and wholeness is through the Light… through exposure. But none of us like to show our nakedness, our shame. None of us like to expose our weaknesses, our biggest fears… and so we hide. We hide from one another and from God.

God is relentlessly searching for those of us who seem to be committed to hiding. Those of us who come to Jesus proclaim: “The game is over. Here I am. This has been my hiding place for oh so long… but here I am. I give up and give in.” A new phase of life begins… It’s called “Follow the Light.” Wherever the Light goes, you follow it. Wherever the Light goes, that is where you go. Follow the Light

In John’s gospel Jesus is recorded as making some very bold declarations. He used saying: “I am…and then he filled in the blank.” But merely saying I am raised some eyebrows among good Jews who recognized the words I am as referring to God himself. Remember when Moses asked asked God “who should I say has sent me?” and God replied: “I am that I am.” The Eternally Present One is the One who sends you. Now Jesus is saying: I am that Eternally Present One. I am not merely a miracle worker who can make bread and feed the hungry…

Jesus’ I Am’s

I am the Bread of Life John 6:35

I am the Gate John 10:7, 9

I am the Good Shepherd John 10:11, 14

I am the Resurrection and the Life John 11:25

I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life John 14:6

I am the Vine John 15:1, 5

I am the Light of the World John 9:5

Jesus said this about himself and about you and me. For we have been people of the darkness. We have chosen the darkness. We have in one sense loved the darkness because the darkness protects us and hides us.

I Am the Light

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 (NIV)

Scholars debated the story that immediately precedes Jesus’ statement. Many believe that this story is a bit out of place…possibly a later addition to John’s actual writing. I am no scholar, but certainly in one sense the story fits. Because the story talks about difference between the darkness of this world and the light that Jesus brings.

The story begins with Jesus at the Temple Courts, sitting and teaching. Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law bring in a woman caught in the act of adultery. You talk about a soap opera.

Of course, the question is, “Where is the guy?” He is no where to be found. You almost get the feeling that this is a set up. The person who is going to get it is this woman… and Jesus. Because these Pharisees and teachers want to hang Jesus on the horns of dilemma. They come to him and say:

Caught in the Act

Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

John 8:4-6 (NIV)

I think they think that Jesus will excuse her…and they want to use the law as a means to squash Jesus.

What did Jesus do? He wrote in the ground. And when they continued to question him He straightened up and spoke.

First to Throw

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

John 8:7 (NIV)

Go and Leave

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

 “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

John 8:9-11 (NIV)

What a powerful story of wisdom and compassion all rolled together.

How many of you identify with this woman. You come before Jesus as a sinner? You’ve been caught red-handed? You can’t run and hide because there is no place to go? Your sin and shame and nakedness has been pointed out… and all you can hope for is that when you are crushed by the stones it just won’t last too long?

And then, miracle of miracles, Jesus comes to you as the Light of the World. The very next verse says:

Light of the World

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 (NIV)

Let me ask you another question: How many of you identify with the people who have caught the woman in the act? How many of us have prayed: “Lord, I sure wish so and so was here today…” How many of us have already this morning picked up a big stone and hurled it at our brother or sister? How many of us have this so ingrained in our lifestyle that we don’t even realize that we are doing it? It is not until someone else drops a stone that we are willing to drop a stone ourselves?

Why do you think this woman was committing adultery? Do you think she had a real happy home life? Probably the pits. Do you think she had a great mom and dad and brothers and sisters? Probabaly she was abused as a child. The only way she knew that she could please others and find some form of love in return was by giving up her body. It was the pain in her life that was driving her into sin and the sin that was driving her into the darkness. What she needed was light not more darkness.

What was driving the Pharisess? Was it that age old desire to bring someone else down so you can bring yourself up? If I have some people underneath me I can feel better about myself. Jesus is saying to the Pharisees just as he is saying to this woman, I am the light of the world. Come into the light.

A lot of us have gotten used to living in the darkness. Jesus is inviting you to come into hi light. Follow him into the light. You know where the darkness leads. Jesus invites you to enter the light… to follow the light.

In Matthew’s gospel the greatest sermon of all time is recorded. Jesus is the speaker. He challenges his listeners to do the impossible over and over again. Listen to what he says:

You Are the Light

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Who is Jesus talking to? Is he talking to somebody else? No, he is talking to you and me. He is talking to people who have become accustomed to putting their light under a bowl. He is talking to people who have been caught in the act. He is talking to people who would rather make others look bad rather than being open to their own faults.

It is people like you and me that really do make a difference in the world in which we live. Let your light shine… Let your light shine… Let your light shine…

But the truth of the matter is that the only light we possess is the light that Jesus gives us.

Remember that ancient prayer:

Follow You More Nearly

Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which you have given us,
for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day. Amen.

Richard of Chinchester

We may have been in the darkness, but we are moving toward Jesus.