Pitch Black

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:1-9 ESV).

The Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest known commercial caverns in Texas. The name was derived from the 60 feet natural limestone slab bridge that spans the amphitheater setting of the cavern's entrance. One of the tours through the cavern takes you for seventy minutes through the underground where you can see some of the most incredible natural underground formations imaginable. At the midway point of the tour, the guides will sit you down and turn off the lights. At that moment you will experience true darkness; you can see absolutely nothing, not even your hand in front of your face. It is what I would call “Pitch Black.” When the lights are turned back on, you breathe a sigh of relief. It is almost involuntary. As I thought about that, I was drawn to our reading today. Because the light dispels the darkness, we always are relieved in the light. In our ordinary experience, darkness never overcomes light. Rather, light always dispels darkness. Sin in the Bible is compared to darkness. Prior to the coming of Jesus, darkness ruled the world. It was as if sin had the control switch and simply never turned on the light. Now Jesus, who is Light itself, has come and taken control of the darkness. He has overcome sin and death on our behalf. He has given us the brightest light imaginable. John says, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (vv. 4-5). The light dispelling darkness is another Bible picture for Christ’s work. It may be that you feel as if you are stumbling around in the darkness. It may be some personal failure in your career; it could be some illness that you simply find it more and more difficult to deal with; or, it could be some issue in your family, relationships that are failing. Whatever the circumstance you are facing today, come to Jesus as the light and receive light. He will show you the next step in your journey toward the ultimate eternal light. He will turn on the lights for you and you can then breathe a sigh of relief.