The deepest darkness I’ve ever experienced was during a cave exploration several years ago, hundreds of feet below the Earth’s surface, when our guide decided to turn off his flashlight to show us what cave darkness was really like. Even with my eyes wide open, all was pure black. I froze, because I felt like even a small step could send me plummeting into some unseen abyss. From then on I decided I only ever wanted to walk when I could see where I was stepping.
Spiritual darkness is much the same—except people often don’t even realize they’re in it. Those without the light of the world live their lives taking every step with fear and uncertainty, without anything stable to hold onto. In a sense, they have to operate at night, covered in lies and secrecy. But then there are those with Christ, the light of the world, lighting their path. They have a firm foundation of the truth, their purpose, and their certain hope. The light of the world reveals these to us and guides our steps, freeing us from needing to operate in darkness. The disciples had a unique opportunity to walk while the very light of the world was incarnate among them. And we have that same opportunity as his Spirit is still with us, illuminating for us the truth.
Best of all, in the light, we get to see the incredible work that God is doing to advance his kingdom. But that enlightened vision is hard for us to really take in! Thomas clearly didn’t understand it, for example. Though he was a devoted follower, he saw the worldly troubles ahead and thought the path would only end in death. Perhaps only a few minutes of watching the news today would give us the same sense of hopelessness. But if only Thomas could see the kingdom work that was in motion! If only we could see in the light what kind of life we have ahead!
It takes a lot for Jesus to say he’s glad someone died. There must be something so worthwhile about his people coming to believe. Indeed, our belief in the gospel is what makes Heaven celebrate. Because Jesus badly wants us all to know what kind of life he has for us ahead. He is the light of the world, and he wants us to see by that light, because then we’ll recognize the incomprehensibly joyous eternal life awaiting us and the incredible work God is doing to get us there. And if it takes a death and resurrection for us to see and believe that, so be it.
