1 John 1:1-2:2
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
This morning’s reading reminds me of the one about a pastor who was laying quietly in bed one day. As it turned out, he was lying down quietly because he was in the last few days of his life. He had gathered all his loved ones including several of his pastor colleagues who were reciting scripture verses, trying to make his last journey holy and pleasant. They wanted to give him warm milk to drink but he declined. One of the pastors took the glass back to the kitchen and decided to add some brandy, considering it good for health. He poured a generous amount into the warm milk. Back at the dying pastor’s bed, other pastors lifted his head gently and held the glass to his lips. The very frail man drank a little, then a little more, and before they knew it, he had finished the whole glass down to the last drop. As his eyes brightened, the pastors thought it would be a good opportunity to have one last talk with their colleague. “Sir!” the pastors asked earnestly, “Please give us some of your wisdom before you leave us.” He raised himself up very slowly in the bed on one elbow, looked at them with a twinkle in his eye and said, “Don’t sell that cow.”
Of course, a little brandy would brighten the spirits of even a dying man! When the end is near, all of life’s sorrows and regrets weighing heavily on a poor soul, and a little bit of alcohol can easily help lighten the load a bit. Thus is the beauty of alcohol I suppose. It can take away the heaviness of life, at least until the hangover sets in and the heaviness returns, invariably heavier than before. No, alcohol is a great deceiver and provides a false lightness, a temporary light amidst the darkness of the world. The light eventually fades, and we’re left in an even greater darkness. Yes, there is only one source of true and everlasting light: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Today we’re setting out on 6-week reflection on the first letter of John. We made it through Paul’s dense letter to the Romans and have moved into a little lighter book of scripture. As to who actually wrote this letter, scholars tend to believe it wasn’t the apostle John but rather a group of followers of John. Some claim the author to be “the elder” mentioned in the 2nd and 3rd letters. Regardless, the author(s) were familiar with John’s gospel and tried to incorporate similar themes. In the passage we read this morning, the theme of light was lifted up, invariably tying back to the opening verses of John’s gospel in which John proclaims, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (1:5) And the 5th verse in today’s reading proclaims, “…God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” The passage goes on to explain how we can’t know God’s light if we continue walking in darkness. God’s light is so all-consuming that it doesn’t allow for the existence of darkness. There’s just no room for darkness in God. God is pure light, pure love.
Now then, why reiterate John’s words proclaimed in his gospel account? Because it’s easy to cling to false lights in this world. I mentioned how alcohol can provide a false light, a false lightening of the burdens that we must carry in this world. There are plenty of false lights, false escapes. Drugs, sex, careers, families, friends, healthiness, a number of bright, shiny means of escape. And we, like moths to flames, often can’t help our attractions to such lights. We’re drawn to them and their warmth and false sense of security. But they all invariably die away. The lights of this world fade away over time and we’re left in darkness once again. Unless we seek out the true light of the world, Jesus Christ. In him there is absolute goodness and security. In Jesus we are absolutely satisfied. When we invite Jesus into our lives, we invite his light into our hearts and souls. And that light will shine forth to other people. The love of Jesus shines bright and true! With that light comes a great joy, an unending joy.
The author(s) of our letter doesn’t want us to live in darkness despite our own natural inclination to dwell in darkness. I am amazed at how drawn to the darkness we are! We love the darkness so much that we’re willing to cling to false lights rather than the true light. We don’t want to leave the darkness. It must satisfy something deep in our souls. We long for the darkness, for a lack of accountability and responsibility. We so desperately not want to be seen by God sometimes. But none of us can hide from God. We all must stand before him and answer for the lives we’ve lived in this world. We must answer why we choose to stay in the darkness. God isn’t impressed by our stubbornness in staying in the darkness. No, God sooooo wants us to join him in the light!
Jesus encourages us in his famous Sermon on the Mount, “in the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (5:16) The light of Christ will shrine through us, and we will know great joy and satisfaction. Be assured, friends, of the joy that is found in Christ! Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians, “for once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light.” (5:8) Of course, Paul always wrote from the perspective of someone who was deeply transformed by the love of Christ. He had walked in darkness before inviting Christ into his life and into his heart. He had persecuted a great many Christians until Jesus condemned his actions and offered him his light and life. Paul wisely received the light of Jesus, and it shone through him the rest of his days.
Friends, Jesus is offering us the same light and wants us to simply invite him into our lives and into our hearts. There is no darkness in him but only goodness and joy and peace. Let us invite him into our lives and into our hearts. And let us give thanks for his light! Thanks be to God!
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
