Tragic
substitutes only keep people in the darkness. Some are only curious about the
spiritual power displayed, discuss the possibilities and move on (vv. 8-12).
Some people allow religious legalism to keep them in the dark. “This man
is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath” (v. 16). Others,
like these parents, are afraid of personal consequences if they accept God’s
grace (v. 22). For some, pride and personal position feed false security and
superiority (vv. 28- 34). An individual doesn’t have to be blind to be
in the darkness. Pray and work so that everywhere grace may abound.
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Let
us not grow weary in the work of love (vv. 35-41)
It’s
difficult to keep sending the light when people resist. Don’t give up!
We need to remember this case study of a man coming to the Light. His spiritual
discernment progressed from an encounter with “a man called Jesus,”
(v. 11) to his declaration, “He is a prophet” (v. 17); and finally
to “Lord, I believe! And he worshipped Him” (v. 38). “Let us
not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not
lose heart” (Galatians 6:9).
Before
his profession of faith, Jesus “heard that [the Pharisees] had cast him
out; and when He had found him, he said to him, “Do you believe in the
Son of God?” (v.35).
Jesus
did what the hymn admonishes: “Send the Light! And a Christ-like spirit
everywhere be found.” Would more people in darkness come to the Light if
we went and found them? Do we cast out the sinner until he or she changes?
I
heard a drug addict tell of his difficulty in attending church because he felt
so different than those in the church and wondered if he was welcome. In his
powerless condition of darkness a committed Christian reached out to him, and
didn’t give up on him. The former addict now lives in the Light and works
while it is day to bring others to the Light of the world.
Send
the Light! “Send the Light, the blessed gospel light; let it shine from
shore to shore! Let it shine forever more!”