Open My Eyes, Lord. John 9:1-41

By: Swiss Britt

“We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5

I have spent many days pondering the whole ninth chapter of John. I wrote 253 words about its wonderful, classic story of the blind man, Jesus and the Pharisees. This morning I read again the whole chapter, and the words quoted above hit me in the face. Especially “…as long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.”

Here it is, gentle readers. Jesus has risen, he is no longer bodily in the world. We who follow him are in the world. We are now the light of the world. I don't know about you but this thought frightens me! It humbles me.

The gospel of Matthew is much more direct. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill can not be hid.” Matthew 5:14

We can’t avoid this reality. On my best days I embrace it and am conscious of my actions. On my worst, well, we won’t go there right now.

Lent is an opportunity to examine our light bulbs. To wash our glasses. To read and ponder the love of the one who sent us to be light for this poor broken world. Light that loves, light that shines in our own darkness to reveal God’s Love and mercy forgiving and healing us, even as we reach out in God’s light and love to those whom God sends. We can only be this with the help of the one who sends us in the midst of our own brokenness.