Light in dark places and times
by Kathy Matuschka
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‘Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me’ (Luke 7:23).
Read Luke 7:18–35
We started this week considering how Jesus reflects God’s light into dark places. Surely, John the Baptist, in prison, is in a place of great darkness and despair. In verse 19, John’s followers ask on his behalf: ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ At one level, John could be asking if the words he prophesied came true, whether he had done his job well, and whether he turned out to be right. But at a deeper level, it seems that John wants to know if there is meaning behind the suffering John himself is going through.
In other words, John asks Jesus not just for the facts of the situation but for some light in his darkness. It’s as if John is asking Jesus to remind him that it is all worth it. And Jesus provides ample evidence that God’s light has come. Blind people receive sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
But Jesus also has a personal word for John to cast light into his dark place: ‘Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.’
It’s as if Jesus is saying: ‘Have hope, John! Know that your service meant something when you were preaching in the desert and that your suffering means something now.’
As we reflect on passages from Luke for most of this week, I love that Luke’s name means ‘bringer of light’. And I love that, in the Bible, we have stories of real people struggling with their faith and that they teach us to turn to Jesus when all seems dark.
‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ (John 1:5).
Dear Jesus, life has its ups and downs, and sometimes, it seems that the darkness is too great for your light to make a difference in me or in the world. When days are hard, refresh my heart with your joy and hope. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, Amen.
Kathy Matuschka lives in Brisbane with her husband, Mark, and worships at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale. This year, Kathy’s ministry journey led her to The Wesley Hospital in Brisbane, where she now serves as a chaplain.
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