Wednesday 15 March: The light shines in the darkness

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Reassuring promises of God

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Bible reading: John 1.1–14

Last year I spent some time in North Yorkshire, in a place known for its dark skies. That’s a bit of a misnomer; it just means there’s no light from cities or streetlamps. On a clear night it’s the light that’s so amazing, as the Milky Way appears in all its glory. No wonder our ancestors, who were much more used to that than we are, used to worship the stars. 

I remember a different experience a few years ago in a remote part of a developing country, where a moonless cloudy night meant absolute darkness. It was disorientating and frightening; we went out of the house, walked a few steps and didn’t know where we were – until we switched on a torch. 

When John wrote in his Gospel, ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out’ (1.5), he knew what darkness was. Real darkness isn’t easy to live with. It oppresses us, confuses us and limits what we can do. Light changes that; that’s why when someone loses their sight, even the smallest amount of light perception can make a difference. 

The light of Jesus still shines in a dark world. He liberates us, orientates us and enables us. It’s easy to feel discouraged by the darkness of the world today, with its wars and famines and plagues; or by the smaller things that can overwhelm us and make our lives utterly miserable. But the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out; and it never will. 

This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Head of Communications at Bible Society.