Light in Christ

John 9:1-7, Ephesians 5:8-14

Our John account tells how Jesus heals a blind man. Jesus puts to rest the idea that disability in a child was the fault of the parents. They must have sinned to create a blind child. Even widows were at fault for their husbands dying. Jesus changes this thinking by saying neither did but he was born blind for a greater purpose, to see that God’s work might be revealed in him. This is where Jesus states, “I am the light of the world.”

Blindness in the Bible, especially with the prophets, talks about more than physical blindness but as a spiritual blindness which is an issue our Ephesians’ passage expounds. Once you were in darkness, meaning you were spiritually blind but in the Lord, we are now light.

Furthermore, we are children of light, and this is the way we should walk – conduct ourselves. The fruit of the light is found in all that is good, right, and true. This is the fruit which we should produce but how?

We are to arise from the dead of darkness and Christ will shine on us. He quotes, “Sleeper awake!” calling us as Christians to wake up from the darkness – the bad, wrong, and false and let Christ shine on us so we can produce the fruits of light.

If we stay asleep in the darkness we may take part of the darkness unfruitful acts. We are told not to take part of the darkness but use Christ’s light to expose them. Let your own light shine so that others will see the contrast and they too can wake up from the deadness of the darkness.

Like the Lord brought light to the blindman, he brings his light to those who have dwelt in spiritual blindness. With Christ’s light we can find out what is pleasing to the Lord and are given his power to produce the fruits of light. Thus, we can truly wake up and walk like children of light. Amen 

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