From Darkness to Light

II Chronicles 36:14-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21

One of the most unusual times in the history of the people of God came at a time several hundred years before Jesus was born. And, yet, it is these events which dramatically shaped the people and the theology of Judaism and paved the way for the coming of Jesus and the Christian faith that followed.

Babylon, the great empire to the east of Israel, had been on a world conquering rampage. In 586 B.C. much of Israel was destroyed, The Temple, Jerusalem and its social infrastructure lay in ruins, and its leadership, along with the brightest and best of Israel's religious leadership and other intelligentsia was taken away from Palestine by the Babylonians into captivity to what is now present day Iraq.

It was in that setting of disruption and turmoil that many of the later prophets of the Old Testament predicted the fall of Babylon and the coming of a new Jerusalem with the rebuilding of the Temple. And the descriptions made by these prophets, among them Daniel and Ezekiel, of the new Jerusalem and the new Temple made it sound as if heaven itself would come down to earth where the old Jerusalem had been. It was an apocalyptic dream that bolstered the hopes, both of the Jewish people in exile, and those who had been left in Palestine.

Now, regarding those prophesies made concerning the ruination of Babylon: In the year 538 B.C., fifty years after Babylonian exile began, Cyrus, king of Persia, the leader of what is now modern day Iran, conquered Babylon. In other words, Iran conquered Iraq. The armies of Babylon were completely destroyed. Babylon fell. And in that same year Cyrus, king of Persia, decreed that any Jew who wanted to go back to Palestine to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple were free to do so. And many them, in fact, left Babylon, returned to Palestine, and did just that, with the financial backing of the government of Persia and the numerous Jewish businessmen who stayed behind.

So, indeed, here in our Old Testament lesson for this morning is the fulfillment of prophesies made in such books as Daniel and Ezekiel concerning the fall of Babylon, the great harlot, as it was called. Nevertheless, in spite of this biblical fact, in the past few months I have been amazed as I have heard some Christian preachers and teachers telling their flocks that the imminent destruction of Saddam Hussein was the fulfillment of these same biblical prophecies. Yet, any serious study of the scriptures and any even half hearted analysis of history makes any such idea look completely ridiculous. Besides, as General Schwartzkopf as aptly pointed out, comparing Saddam's ability to govern with the greatness of Nebuchadnezzar is laughable. And, as anyone can see, any comparison of modern day Iraq with ancient Babylon is totally ridiculous. And, yet, unfortunately, as the last years of the 20th century draw to a close, I fear that there will be much more of this kind of Biblical blather preached in churches, written in books, and sermonized on radio and T.V. by those looking for the rapture. This troubles me because such preaching and teaching, based on half truths and sensational irresponsible use of scripture, can only ultimately hurt the cause of Christianity. And this is especially true as the years of the 21st century tick by without a rapture, pass safely without the destruction of the world, and go by in without the return of Him who is coming in the clouds.

Now I'm not saying that it won't happen; that Jesus Christ will not return, some day. For it is, indeed, a part of the nature of the Christian faith to be looking for his coming. Nevertheless, Jesus, himself, made it very clear that our faith must be Christ-centered, rather than apocalypse-centered. For the faith which is Christ-centered cannot falter with the change of world events, but is stable and endures the test of time. However, apocalyptic-centered Christianity, besides being very narrow, and myoptic, has faltered many times in the past and is likely to falter, many times again.

The story of the return of God's people out of Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple, however, is a very beautiful and poignant historical example of how God has led and continues to lead those who are faithful. For it is a story of how those who are faithful who may sometimes find themselves in darkness and despair will see a great light if they persevere. The story of God's people coming out of Babylonian captivity is much like the story of God's people coming out of Egypt. It is like the stories of King David returning to Jerusalem, or of Daniel in the Lion's Den. It is like the story of the resurrection of Jesus. And, it is like the promise God makes to those of us who believe that no matter how dark things may get in our lives, God stands through it all offering us hope and light and life. And this is, indeed, the story that the Church must tell people in the world, today. For there are millions out there in the world who are hopeless and depressed and who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. There are countless masses who are ready to made alive in Christ, as the apostle Paul wrote, even though they are dead because of their transgressions.

Yet, it is surprising that even though so many people need to hear the message of salvation, so many have refused to accept it. Sometimes I wonder why anyone would want to refuse accepting the good news. Is it because it just sounds too good to be true? Or is it because accepting the good news requires a change in lifestyle? Or is it because when a person has lived so long in darkness it is painful to suddenly be exposed to the light?

I was talking with an ophthalmologist several years ago who told me that I shouldn't buy sunglasses for my children. He explained that children's eyes actually need exposure to bright sunlight so that they may develop a normal amount of pigmentation to protect them in later years. Sunglasses in children prevent this growth of pigmentation. He went on to explain that he had run into young adults who had trouble seeing in bright sunlight simply because they had worn sunglasses for too many years. Perhaps coming to Jesus is kind of like this, for many people. The brightness of Christ may be too hard for many of those who have become accustomed to living in darkness.

Someone once challenged me to write a poem about this:

Our eyes were good, but we were blind inside.

Didn't see him, hardly even tried.

For in the dismal darkness, unaware,

We stood within a sweet and awful lair.

Accustomed to that lack of light, we shared

A fear to know just who he was. He glared

With brilliant beams of Godly light and cut

The darkness like a knife. O God, we shut

Him out. For coming to the light brings pain

To those who've let the shadow reign.

But some have dared to look upon that Sun;

And we who have are thrilled, for he has done

A task which leads to life. And now we are

God's children of the light. The Shining Star

Of Love has pierced the umbra of our pain.

The Christ of Love has come on earth to reign.

There are stories of God saving his people which may be read throughout the Bible point to the wonderful truth found in our Gospel lesson for today: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

There is the story of a preacher who was visiting in a home, one day. As he sat there, three children came quietly into the room and sat down.	Their mother, wanting to show them off, asked them to quote some Bible passages. So, one by one, they began to quote their verses. When it was the youngest one's turn, he said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish but have INTERNAL life."

Needless to say, the visiting pastor didn't correct the little boy, for it is internal life, as well as eternal life that Jesus gives us when we put our faith in him.

God, indeed, loves us. God's great and wonderful gifts prove this. But, even the little things prove it, as well.

Take this poem for example:

God could have made the sun to rise

Without such splendor in the skies;

He could have made the sun to set

Without a glory greater yet.

He could have made the corn to grow

Without the sunny, golden glow;

The fruits without those colors bright,

So pleasant to the taste and sight.

And caused the apple trees to bloom

Without the scent that doth perfume

Those dainty blossoms, pink and white,

That fill our hearts with sheer delight.

He could have made the ocean roll

Without such music for the soul --

The mighty anthem, loud and strong --

And birds without their clear, sweet song.

The charm of kittens' dainty grace,

The dimples in a baby's face --

All these are "extras" from His hand,

Whose love we cannot understand.

The God who fashioned flow'rs and trees,

Delights to give us things that please,

And all his handiwork so fair

His glory and His love declare.

Yes, he who made the earth and skies

Gave "extras" for our ears and eyes,

And while my heart with rapture sings,

I thank him for the "extra things."

Amen.