Chapter 23 - From darkness to 'the light'

Freedom from Captivity

Chapter 23

From darkness to ‘The Light’

As we continue our study this topic of ‘Freedom from Captivity’ we recognize that it is indeed the will of God that His people should be liberated from every sin and bondage. In this chapter we will study the metaphor of light and darkness, which is widely used in the Bible to explain this concept of freedom from sin and bondage to sin.

In Genesis chapter 1, as we read the creation narrative, one of the first things God said was “Let there be light.’ We infer that this was so, because God’s desire was that mankind should enjoy being in the light and not stumble in the darkness. It is the same for our spiritual life too, that in areas of our lives where there is darkness, the Lord aspires to shed His light, which alone can expel all the darkness of sin and bondage.

We read in Isaiah 9:2, “the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them light hath shone.” (Darby)

The Prophet Isaiah in the above verse, prophesied about a light that shines upon two groups of people; the ones who walked in darkness and those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death. This prophesy that was prophesied by Isaiah, was fulfilled almost 700 later, when Jesus came down to the earth.

We read in Matthew 4:14,“This was done to make come true what the prophet Isaiah had said,” (GNB) and in Matthew 4:16 “The people who live in darkness will see a great light. On those who live in the dark land of death the light will shine." (GNB)

When Jesus commenced his earthly ministry, this prophesy of Isaiah was actually fulfilled.  In John 12:35,“Jesus answered, for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.”

One sure way to identify those who walk in the light from those who walk in darkness, is the former know where they are going, while the latter do not, as they are still groping in the dark. There are also those who assume that they are in walking the light, but are in reality still floundering in darkness.

We will consider the lives of three people in the Bible, who were once in darkness and came into the light, to lead lives that were totally transformed.

Zacchaeus received ‘The Light’

We read in Luke 19:2,“There was a chief tax collector there named Zacchaeus, who was rich.”(GNT)

This passage in Luke 19 describes the encounter that a man named Zacchaeus had with Jesus. Zacchaeus was the chief of the tax collectors and a rich man. Here was a man who must have had a strong will power, for two reasons; one the fact that he had achieved the position of chief of the tax collectors in his town, and the other, that when he decided to see Jesus, he did not allow his height or the great crowd that gathered there to hinder him, but climbed up a tree to have a glimpse of Jesus. He was one who when he desired to have something, would go all out to attain it. He was also a wealthy man and making loads of money seemed to have been Zacchaeus’ main goal in life. Zacchaeus walked in darkness, not knowing where he was going, until the day he met Jesus.

There are many who are confident of their own strength and will power, believing that with these two components, they can accomplish anything they want. Such people who strive to succeed with their own strength, will sadly at some point in their lives, where they will encounter discouragement and dissatisfaction. There are those like Zacchaeus, who believe that one can accomplish anything in life if they have lots of money, which prompts them to chase after money. Some have a wrong understanding that the lack of money is the reason for various problems, and that the abundance of money is the only solution.

There is a story told of a man who was so obsessed with money, that as he hoarded more and more and he did not even care about his wife or children. He made his wife promise him that when he died, she would place all of the money he possessed in his coffin, as he wished to take it with him. His wife was perplexed, that she could not benefit from the money while her husband lived and now she had to part with all of it after he was gone. One day the man died and the relatives of the family who came to attend the funeral were extremely sympathetic of the wife, who had to part with all of the money.  When they enquired of her as to how she had the heart to place all the money in the coffin, she replied ‘that was simple, I deposited all the money in the bank, wrote out a cheque for the entire amount and placed the cheque in the coffin. I have kept my promise and my husband can now encash it when he gets to the other side.’ Though this may sound hilarious, it is pathetic that many people who are consumed by the love for money, do not realize that we can take nothing with us when we leave this world.

We read in Luke 19:8-9,“Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Listen, sir! I will give half my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much. Jesus said to him, "Salvation has come to this house today" (GNB)

The day Jesus went to meet with Zacchaeus, there was a major transformation that took place.  From being a man who was captivated with money, he had a complete change of heart and was willing to give away all the money he had wrongly gained to those whom he had defrauded. He was converted from being a selfish man, to one who was willing to give away all that he possessed to bless others, and be content with what remained. That is when Jesus said, ‘Salvation has come to this house today’. Until that day Zacchaeus’ house had money but they missed out on the salvation that the Lord offered. The day Zacchaeus met Jesus, he was brought from darkness into the light, got a clear understanding of what’s important in life and was now sure as to where he was heading.

A good check for us, to recognize if we are walking in the light or groping in the darkness is the way we handle our finances. We all need money but if our heart is seduced by it, then we can be certain that we are still in darkness. When the Lord truly blesses us, we will be those who lend and not those who borrow.  Therefore to those in debt, it is a reminder to ask God to help us be good stewards of all that God blesses us with, and be a blessing to others and we will find our situations will change. Let us expel the darkness of the love of money, and walk in the light knowing that we are all journeying towards our eternal home in heaven, where money will be of no value whatsoever. Instead if we can bless those around us who are poor and needy, we will be storing up for ourselves treasures in heaven that will last for all eternity. Let us pray and desire of the Lord to make our hands, those that give to others and not be those that keep on receiving from others.

Nicodemus received ‘The Light’

In John 3:1, we read, “There was a Jewish leader named Nicodemus, who belonged to the party of the Pharisees.”(GNT)

Nicodemus was a religious leader, a Pharisee, who was well versed with the scriptures but sadly he did not know the Lord of the scriptures. He came to Jesus at night for fear of being identified by other religious leaders.  The reason he sought after Jesus was because though he knew much about the scriptures, he was not sure if he would enter heaven. That is why he asked Jesus ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ In spite of his religiosity, he was in darkness, not sure where he was going.

At the end of the conversation with Jesus, Nicodemus was a changed man. His encounter with Jesus on that dark night, made Nicodemus realize that he had to be born again, born of water and of the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus believed that Jesus alone was the way through whom he can enter the Kingdom of heaven. A religious man who walked in darkness, was now brought into God’s glorious light.

Though Nicodemus was a secret believer in Jesus, we read in John 19:39-40,“Nicodemus, who at first had gone to see Jesus at night, went with Joseph, taking with him about one hundred pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh and aloes. The two men took Jesus' body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices according to the Jewish custom of preparing a body for burial.”(GNB)

After Jesus was crucified, this same Nicodemus, who was once so fearful, came out boldly to take down the body of Jesus for burial. 

There are those who are proficient with the Bible, but do not have a relationship with the Lord of the Bible. If we are content to follow a religion, it will only spell out a whole list of do’s and don’ts, most of which will require us to spend much of our finances on. When confronted with hardships, some people on the advice of others undertake pilgrimages to some auspicious places, hoping that their troubles would end. One man may have the money to go on a pilgrimage, while another may be poor and unable to undertake such a journey; does that mean that God will only answer the request one who undertook the pilgrimage and not answer the one who did not have the means to do so? This is erroneous belief as God is a loving God, who does not show favoritism, and treats everyone alike irrespective of who they are. All we are required to do, is to call on the Lord right where we are, and He is ready to answer.

Jesus’ words to Nicodemus holds true for everyone who wants to believe in Jesus.  It is not only necessary to put our faith in Jesus and believe in all that He has done for us on the cross, it is also important that we declare our faith in Jesus by going down into the waters of baptism. We must enter into a covenant with the Lord Jesus by taking baptism. The Bible does not attest to child baptism but only to baptism as an adult, and Jesus Himself set us an example by doing so. It is only when we repent, believe in Jesus and enter the waters of baptism we will enter the kingdom of God.  Baptism is a symbolism of being buried with Christ in His death and only then will be raised again like Jesus did.

The Samaritan woman received ‘The Light’

In John 4:7, we see, “A Samaritan woman came to draw some water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink of water." (GNB)

It was around 12 noon and Jesus was tired after a long journey and was seated near a well.  A Samaritan woman came to the well, all by herself to draw water from the well.  Jesus requests her for water and as the conversation proceeds we read in John 4:16-18, "Go and call your husband," Jesus told her, "and come back." "I don't have a husband," she answered. Jesus replied, "You are right when you say you don't have a husband. You have been married to five men, and the man you live with now is not really your husband. You have told me the truth."

Here was a woman who led a life with no satisfaction. She was leading a life of immorality, and on meeting with Jesus her life was completely transformed.

Look at what she did in John 4:28,“Then the woman left her water jar, went back to the town, and said to the people there, Joh 4:29  "Come and see the man who told me everything I have ever done. Could he be the Messiah?" (GNB)

A woman who was secluded, afraid and withdrawn from society was suddenly transformed into one who ran to bring her entire town to Jesus.  All her fear and shame vanished when she encountered Jesus, and spoke boldly about him to everyone in her town.  She left her pot, forgot even the purpose of why she came, and ran to share the good news with everyone. A woman who lived in darkness was now was brought into the light, and led many others to the light.

If we have encountered the living Lord Jesus in our lives, it is imperative that there must be a definite transformation in our lives. Just like the Samaritan woman who dropped her earthen pot, and ran to share the good news with others, the Lord is calling us to give up all those earthly things that encumber us, so we can be His witnesses and share the good news with those around us. Instead of wasting all our time with worldly things, let us use all our strength and all we have to serve the Lord. 

When Zacchaeus, Nicodemus and the Samaritan Woman met Jesus, their lives were revolutionized. Let us also like them decide to give up everything that hinders our walking in the light, choosing daily to live in obedience to the Lord and His word. May God help us expel all darkness in our lives and live in His light, for as Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.Whoever, follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (ESV) It is only when we walk in His light, will we know where we are going, and stay on the narrow path that leads to heaven.

Prayer:

Our dear and loving heavenly Father, thank You for teaching about the transformation in the lives of Zacchaeus, Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman.  Though poles apart they all came to the light when they encountered You Lord Jesus and their transformation was so remarkable.  Kindly help me to walk in Your light, so that I will continue to stay on the narrow path that leads to heaven.  

Br. Dixon

Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins

www.goodnewsfriends.net