Called Into His Wonderful Light

There is a fable about a cave which lived under ground, as caves have a habit of doing.  It had spent its entire life in darkness.  One day it heard a voice calling to it.  “Come up into the light, and see the sunshine.”

The cave retorted, “I don’t know what you mean.  There isn’t anything but darkness.” 

Finally the cave ventured forth and was surprised to see light everywhere.  Looking up into the sun the cave said, “Now come with me and see the darkness.”

What is the darkness?” the sun asked.  “Come and see,” the cave replied.

And so one day the sun accepted the cave’s invitation.  As it entered the cave it said, “Now show me your darkness.”

But there was no darkness!

In John’s prologue He pictures Jesus as the light of the world.

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (John 1:4-9).

Jesus came so we don’t have to dwell in darkness.  We’re don’t have to be sin’s “cave dwellers.”  He brings life and light into our world that was once characterized by spiritual darkness.  Because of Christ we are “called out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Pet 2:9).  Peter says we are called to be God’s chosen people.  Picked out of a dark world.  Elect of God.

We are also a royal priesthood.  Regal.  Kingly.  Selected to share in the reign of King Jesus.

We are called a holy nation. Pure. Consecrated. Dedicated.  Like Israel of old separate and set apart from the heathen.

And that makes us, Peter affirms, God’s special people.  This refers to possession.  In fact, a purchased possession made possible by the blood of Jesus.

The implications of this are profound on our lives. We are to walk in the light as He in the light. Honorably. Ethically.  Rightly.

We are to renounce darkness.  Expose darkness. Refuse to walk in the darkness.  While the dark side has its appeal and seeks to allure us back into its dark hole, we illuminate and enlighten those who are held captive and controlled by its charms.

And we are to shine as the light of the world.  By doing good. Living in virtue.  Glorifying God.

Greek philosopher, Dr.  Alexander Popanderos, who taught an ethics class every summer on the island of Crete was once asked by a student, “What is the meaning of life?”  In response the professor reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet and showed the class a little mirror about the size of a half-dollar.

“When I was a child,” Dr. Popanderos said, “I began to realize how much fun I could have with the mirror.  I would simply catch the glint of the sun and shine the mirror into an otherwise darkened place.”  However, the Greek philosopher, said as he grew older he realized it was a metaphor for life.  He said, “I am not the light.  Nor am I the source of light.  I am simply a broken mirror fragment.  But I allow the sun to shine on my mirror fragment,  it’s amazing what light I can bring into darkness.”

Then he said, “Ladies and Gentlemen that is the meaning of life.”

May we as God’s specially chosen people, allow the Son to shine on our little “mirror fragment” and brighten the corner of the world where we live.

Ken Weliever, The Preacherman