Piercing The Darkness
When Frank Peretti’s Piercing The Darkness hit the bookshelves, I became an instant fan. I bought every book that he wrote as fast as they came off the press. But after a few of his works, I began noticing a trend. At first the Book Title on the jacket was large and bold but that didn’t last long. Before I knew it the title of the book began shrinking and the author’s name became larger and bolder until they were given equal billing on the book’s jacket. Then when he wrote: The Oath, his name actually became more prominent on the cover than the title. Now what does that say? It says to me that someone believed that Peretti was such a good author that his book would sell based on his name alone, in many cases.
It is as if the allure became the author and not the title or even the plot. How often are we drawn from the TITLE of our worship or study to an author whose reputation as a great preacher, expositor or commentator becomes the allure? After all, it’s easier to accept an overview by Wiersbe, Ogilvie, Lucado, Warren, etc. than to dig it out for ourselves. We preachers soon find our favorite go to commentator.
That puts us in a state of darkness that borders on plagiarism and laziness. If we are to be honest and transparent, it would require that we share and credit our source(s). We don’t always do that.
In the gospel reading of John 9:1-7, we read of a blind beggar whose only source of income was the alms collected while begging at the roadside, where travelers came and went. As Jesus approached, He paused and engaged this beggar. His traveling companions (His disciples) immediately asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (v 2)
Jesus answered: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (v 3) Jesus then spit on the ground and made mud from the saliva and clay. He put the mud on the man’s eyes and told him, go wash in the Pool of Siloam.” So we understand, the beggar wasn’t going to receive his sight until he went down to the Pool of Siloam and washed. In other words, he was granted a wonderful, powerful gift but if he was to choose to accept the gift there was an act of obedience that needed to occur.
Again, God created us with a free will. God also makes it very clear that He seeks our obedience. How often do we struggle with that one?
This beggar was born physically blind. However, we are all born “spiritually blind”. Whatever knowledge and experience that we receive early in life is from what we are taught from the cradle. So, if we are born spiritually blind, we are born into spiritual darkness. If we are in spiritual darkness, where does the Light of Knowledge and Salvation come from?
The same exact source that granted the beggar his sight: Jesus the Christ!
The beggar knew he was blind and knew he wanted vision. But all he could ever do was sit at the roadside begging for alms. What else could he do? Then Jesus comes along and engages him and offers him sight (LIGHT). Why did Jesus stop and minister to this one particular man? That becomes obvious. It was a divine appointment. Jesus was compelled by God the Father to engage this one man in the same manner that Jesus was compelled to minister to the Samaritan woman at the well. It was a divine appointment. The writer (John) doesn’t say that this beggar was the only person that Jesus ministered to; so, it is fair to say that in all probability Jesus did more ministry while in this town.
What we see is the omniscience and omnipotence of God at work. He knows the physical and spiritual condition of every person all the time and every time. Just as when Zacchaeus was up in that Sycamore tree when Jesus passed by, Jesus knew he was there and knew Zacchaeus had a strong desire to see Jesus. We might be short in stature and unable to see over the crowd but Jesus sees every one of us no matter what.
When mankind exists in a state of darkness (sin), he cannot know the Spirit of Truth and Love which comes from God. In a state of darkness, we can so easily fall prey to false teachings and false pathways of life which lead to a state of being lost.
I am a great fan of mysteries and enjoy watching some of the television documentaries of crimes. Having a background with over twenty-five years in law enforcement, I find myself trying to solve these mysteries based on the clues that are shared before the final solving is made clear. I enjoy a better than average success in doing that. It’s entertainment. But what it says to me is: we get fixated on a path that leads to an unknown. If at some point, it becomes obvious that it leads to a dead end, we have to go back and pick up on another clue or two and follow it’s path. The important thing to remember is not to follow a false lead that can have many pitfalls along the way.
God is so good, that He provides us with a safety net when we get off track. All we need do is ask HIM and He will put us back on the right path. The paths that lead to dark spiritual places are all paved with temptations. Some powerful allures lurk all along the way. To name a few: sex – money – power – pride – fear – shame – etc. God is more concerned with the return of the lost than the whys and wherefores.
As we approach Easter, I am drawn to visualize the three hours of total darkness that God cast upon all of His creation. Three hours of darkness with NO light of any kind, No ambient light from sun, moon or stars. Certainly, no artificial light! People had no idea whether they were doomed to eternity in that darkness or not. And the in a grand and powerful display the curtain at the temple was rent, torn open from top to bottom. This is the very essence of the Easter message. No longer was there a need for anyone to have to be represented to God by a priest. When Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind for all time, HE created a means for direct access to God, in His name.
I researched and found thirteen pages of famous persons who were blind or had severe vision impairment. It is a dreadful thought. I myself have glaucoma and suffer from night blindness. I can see to drive at night but I cannot read street signs and have been known to drive as much as twenty miles out of my way to “get back on track”. That’s bad enough! I pray that it doesn’t worsen. But even so God, "Your Will Be Done!" I heard that somewhere before.
Jesus the Christ is the Light of the World. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and dedicated our lives to Him, what we have done is gained assurance that the darkness of sin in our lives has been pierced and the Light of our Savior shines on us and in us. Our sins are forgiven.
If we are to live in that light, we are also to share that light. Walk away from the water cooler conversation that is off color or gossip centered. Change the subject when conversation takes a dark turn. Forget about being “one of the guys” when what they represent is darkness. It is a choice. What do you choose?
Heavenly Father, We seek to do Your will. We sometimes get off track. Thank You for your mercy, goodness and faithfulness that we may come back to You and You will put us back on the right path. We pray that your Holy Spirit will guide us and that we will heed that guidance, avoiding the pitfalls of darkness. As we close, we ask that you again give us great and greater opportunities to love and serve You by loving and serving each other. AMEN
