See in the Light

"It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

John 11:10

The death of Lazarus shows again His emotions. John 11:35 states: He wept. Wept describes a state of being, it is often used to show an intense grief or sadness. He did not just cry, He wept. This showing of His emotions, sheds light on the humanness that He took form in so that you could relate to Him. But also, His raising of Lazarus from the dead, reminds you of His holiness and ways in which you cannot relate to Him. Both are important to the journey and relationship that you have with Him. It is both this relationship in which you can relate, but also can never fully understand but must trust. The same way that you trust what you see in the light, and when in darkness you use your previous experiences to help you trust even then too.

"Anyone who walks in the daylight will not stumble, for they see by this world's light. It is when a person walks at night they they stumble, for they have no light" John 11:9-10. The light that is mentioned here is the light of the sun, and being able to see what is in your path so as to not stumble. He means so much more in these words. He has time and time again shared with the people that He is the light. He is the Son. He is the way. The darkness that is mentioned here is not just the physical darkness, it is the absence of Him. The stumble that is shared here is not just the running into something, tripping over something, or bumping into something; it is the act of misstepping because of not having the light to lead the way. It is not having Him to guide.

This verse also shares "Are there not twelve hours of daylight?" John 11:9. This brings up that He knows that light and darkness will take turns in the lives of the people. He acknowledges that darkness will exist. He acknowledges that light will exist. This acknowledgement is crucial to the acceptance of depression and anxiety. It is not that these things are worth experiencing, rather that in their experiences there is hope that darkness does not last forever, because light is also present. He is also present. He acknowledges that stumbling in the darkness is a possibility. And yet, He reminds you that in order to not stumble you must walk in the light. You must walk in Him. This brings to mind that in the times of darkness would it not be beneficial to pause in it, rather than to try to make it through stumbling along the way. Instead pause, and hold onto the faith and truth that the light will come.

Darkness does not last forever.

John 11:44 ends with "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." A message that shares that when you come to know Him, and the light that He has to offer you, you must also take off the grave clothes, the clothing that leads to your death, and instead see the light. You must then go. Become the message of His will, of His life, of His freedom from death. Once you find the light of Him, it is meant to be shared and modeled, not to be held onto and kept in secret. The same for depression and anxiety, while these experiences have long been fought in secret, they no longer need to be fought this way. Rather, take off the gave clothes of depression and anxiety, and go. Go into the world as He calls you and as He has shown His love towards you. His salvation out of depression and anxiety experiences are the opportunity to share His love further to others who may need this light, need this love, need this support. When the experiences of depression and anxiety are gone, whether for a moment or for a long period of time, it is the removal of the darkness that has kept your eyes closed off from the light.

Take off what separates you from Him, and Go forward in what He has brought you.

Scripture:

John 11

John 11:35

John 11: 9-10

John 11: 44

Questions:

What keeps you in the darkness?

How do you keep from stumbling when in the darkness?

What helps you to wait on the light to come? Or accept it through Him?

What "grave clothes" do you need to remove? And where is He sending you to "go"?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father through your son Lazarus was brought back from the dead. Through you your son was brought to us to save us and to show us a love that is beyond any love that could ever be experienced. Lord, I pray for those that are bound by the grave. I pray for those that are clothed in grave clothes. I pray for those that are in darkness. Lord, I know where the light is. The light is in your son. The light is your son. And the light is for all to experience. I pray that those who are struggling today may find the light. That they can remove the grave clothes that keep them from seeing your son. In the same way that your son comforts Mary and Martha, I pray that He can comfort those today seeking His comfort. I pray this in your son's name. Amen.