12/12/2014

The Light of Advent

John 3:19-21 “19This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light,
for their deeds were evil. 20For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (NASB)

Two contrasting reactions to Jesus are presented here.

Two choices are placed before us.

Two outcomes are made available.

The Pharisees, who were consumed by power and narcissistic pride, would eagerly proclaim the law and hurl condemnation on “commoners”. Yet Jesus saw through their charade time and again. In this passage, he reveals the motivation behind what they do. They withdraw themselves from The Light because of the evilness of their deeds.

One of the most zealous Pharisees, a man named Saul, encountered Christ in the form of a blinding light. From that moment forward the evil deeds of his past were forgiven, and the motivation for his life was forever changed.

For the rest of his time on earth, the theme of “In Christ” would repeat itself, as the man now called Paul, made it the central focus of his letters. And, as he neared the end of his life, Paul gave all glory for this change to God.

Today you can choose to allow the light of Advent light to fill your heart, remove the stain of sin, and to change the course of your life.