Pastor Tim’s Devotional

March 29, 2021

Scripture Reading – John 1:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

During Holy Week, I always seem to find myself drawn to this single verse from the opening of John’s Gospel. In only thirteen words, John affirms our undying hope in the light while acknowledging the gritty reality of our ongoing struggle with darkness.

John begins his gospel with the phrase, “In the beginning (John 1:1).” Words that are meant to take us back to the start of the biblical story.

“In the beginning…God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:1-4).”

The biblical story begins with God speaking words of light and life. God separated the light from the darkness, and it was good. In the third chapter of Genesis, darkness disguised itself as light, and with forked tongue, deceived Adam and Eve. With the first lie spoken in the scriptures, darkness pierced the light of creation, entering the human heart (Genesis 3:1-7).

We all know the reality of darkness. The darkness that we experience in the world, in our lives, and in our hearts. We know the struggle between darkness and light, despair and hope, meaninglessness and purpose, futility and possibility, death and life. We know that darkness still seeks to overcome the light that God spoke into existence so long ago.

The gospels give witness to the light, the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each year during Holy Week, we remember how it seemed that darkness had won. That the light of God had been swallowed up forever by the darkness of a tomb. And each year we remember, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

Once again, I have found myself drawn to this passage, turning it over and over in my mind. It helps to rekindle the light within. On days in which that light feels more like a flickering candle than a blazing fire, it helps me to remember that the light of God can never be overcome.

God Bless You

Pastor Tim