Pentecost 26 – Narrative Lectionary 4
November 17, 2017
Grace, Mankato, MN
Isaiah 9.1-7; John 8.12
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. (Isaiah 9.2)
As I get older, I notice the effects of darkness or lack of light: a gloomy attitude on a gloomy day, needing more light to read by, and increased difficulty driving at night. I much prefer sunny days, regardless of temperature; I like a lot of light to read; and I need the right kind for driving. Darkness and light are important metaphors in the Bible, especially in the Gospel of John as we will see as we get into the book after Christmas. Of course, darkness refers to shortened days, but it also refers to troubled times, such as the “dark night of the soul” as St. John of the Cross described.
The prophet Isaiah, the one we call “First,” speaks during a darkening time of Assyrian oppression. There are at least three Isaiahs, prophesying during three different times and situations. And no, we are not rushing Christmas today just like the stores; this text is part of the narrative flow of the biblical story. We think this was originally an “ascension oracle,” rejoicing at the crowning of a new king, probably Hezekiah. However, the followers of Jesus of Jesus saw in this prophecy a foreshadowing of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Either way, as with the new king, “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”
A central theme of this passage, found throughout the biblical story, is that God is doing the acting. This beacon of hope, our guiding light, has been given to us; the light has shined on us. Furthermore, there is an “already, but not yet” quality to this light that God provides in darkness. Our darknesses may not totally disappear, but neither will the darknesses overcome the light. In fact, we can be so bold as to say that whenever the darkness appears God’s light does, too.
We cannot bring about the light; only God can do that. However, we can look for the light God promises to bring. This past Wednesday I asked where people have seen the light of hope in their darkest times. One person has seen the light through phone calls received in their most difficult times from unlikely people. Another said they always come to this place because they know God’s light will shine somewhere here. She doesn’t know if it will be in the scripture, hymn, sermon, or kind word, but she knows she’ll find it here.
Today is Stewardship Commitment Sunday, the culmination of “Gathering in God’s Love.” We have had two moving temple talks: Josh talking about his deeply meaningful participation in Holy Communion; and Terry about the blessings of gathering in order to give ourselves away to others through the lutefisk dinners. We remember that we don’t give because God needs our money, and it’s not even about keeping this place open. We give in response to a generous God who gives freely to us and wishes us to be generous people as well.
Yet, there is another aspect to making a commitment today, beyond supporting mission and ministry that God calls us to in this place. Though we cannot bring the light, we can be guiding lights to others. The commitments we make here today are signs of hope, beacons of light declaring that God has a future for us and the world. We who walked in darkness have seen a great light, Jesus, the Light of the World. If you are walking in darkness today, know that God’s light will find you. If not, look for a place where God wishes for the light to shine through you. Amen.
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