PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 22:47-53
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“But this is your hour — when darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:53)
Jesus describes this moment as a moment when darkness reigns.
This is not the only moment when darkness seems to reign.
People around the world still experience the reign of darkness.
Currently I think of Ukraine and the Middle East, and so many more places.
Think about the darkness of abuse, injustice, inequality, poverty, crime.
Our natural instinct is to grab our swords, to fight back, to rise up with power.
“‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:51)
Jesus knows that more darkness does not stop darkness.
He overcomes evil by refusing to join evil, and instead heals his enemy.
His solution does not work – he still suffers and dies… yet light triumphs.
This moment of darkness does not last; light is restored on resurrection day!
Jesus has overcome the darkness, and light will one day be restored.
Meanwhile will I join him in resisting darkness and joining the reign of light!
PRAYER
Lord, you shine bright in this world of darkness. Help me to trust in your victory over the darkness, and to join you in spreading the light.
“But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.” Jesus let the darkness reign – he allowed to the evil one to have supremacy. There are times and places where it seems darkness reigns – I think of the people who have to shelter from the terror of exploding missiles. For them darkness reigns. Weapons that kill – but the killing is not the way of the cross. Only Jesus’ death saved us – no one else! Thank you Jesus that you overcame the darkness for us – let it not reign in my heart and cause me to despair!
The religious leaders were always afraid of how the people would react. Therefore under the cover of night they arrested Jesus – having their own way at last. Even today, there is so much happening under the cover of darkness in the world today which wlli one day be exposed. I need to let my light shine each day having no part of the darkness around me. He reigns and I need to go forward in that power.
1 This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine.
2 Ev’rywhere I go,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Ev’rywhere I go,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Ev’rywhere I go,
I’m gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine.
3 Jesus gave it to me,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Jesus gave it to me,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Jesus gave it to me,
I’m gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine.