DR's sermon

I just love DR's sermons. They are the best I hear these days.

Sunday night the lectionary included John 1:1-18. He said something I have been thinking about too, especially since I read it for the Lessons and Carols.

John 1:1-18 is John's birth narrative. But John is boldly clear that Jesus, the Word who was born flesh, is the Son of God and has existed from the beginning, forever.

DR then went on to discuss the analogy of light. Jesus is the light that came into the world to dispel the darkness. Jesus is the light and the darkness could not overcome it.

He gave the example of going into a cave. I too remember going to Wonder Cave in central Texas. It was next to the glass bottom boats. It was not much of a cave but it was the best we have.

I too remember that after we got down to the big cave room the guide asks us to sit down. Then he turns out all the lights. The darkness is like nothing you have ever experienced. You cannot see you hand in front of you. There is absolutely no light. Then after your eyes are adjusted the guide turns on a small light. Perhaps it is simply a candle. Then you can see quite a bit. Even that little light breaks into the darkness and overcomes it.

He went further. If you find yourself in complete darkness you are never going to find your way out on your own. You are going to fall into a pit or take yourself further into the cave. You are better off sitting and waiting for rescue.

We are like that spiritually. Before God comes into our life we are in darkness and we cannot get ourselves out of it. We need a savior. We need a light. Jesus is the light that comes into the world. He comes to save us. He comes to find us and bring us out into safety. Before God came to us we were in total darkness and could not help ourselves spiritually. This is a great analogy.