Daily Thought for Tuesday 15th April 2025
‘Jesus answered, “The light will be with you for only a little longer. Walk in the light while you can. Then you won’t be caught walking blindly in the dark. Have faith in the light while it is with you, and you will be children of the light.”’
John 12:35-36
Shadows
Susan Brown
The shadows are lengthening as this week unfolds.
Shadows that speak of the darkest of dealings and the coldest of betrayals.
What we need to remember about shadows, is that the closer to the light they are, the bigger they are.
The Light on this day, is very close.
Shadows however, can feel ominous. And they certainly felt that way to Jesus’ disciples.
At this point in the week we call ‘holy’, Jesus’ closest friends are still remarkably blind to what, very soon, will happen to their Lord – despite Jesus having repeatedly told them that he must die and rise again.
But those friends are not completely oblivious to what is going on. They know all is not as it should be and that discontent is being fostered. They think though that while things are uncomfortable, Jesus will surely turn things around. After all, just days before, the crowds in Jerusalem had welcomed Jesus with palm branches and singing and cries of joy. Surely they would cheer him again! Isn’t he their champion? And on their side?
So Jesus’ disciples try to shake off their discomfort and unease.
To carry on.
This is a day for making room – not for getting on and doing, but for soaking up the rays.
The Light of the world is about to be extinguished, before guttering back into life again.
It is their knowledge of Jesus; it is knowing his life and his love and letting these things seep into their souls that will eventually help his friends, even through tears and fear, through upset, helplessness and despondency, to negotiate the darkest darkness of this week.
And from here on in, any other darkness they might face.
The Light, they realise, was and is behind every shadow – and will overcome even the darkest.
Our job is, like those first followers of Jesus, to live, soaking up the Light, until for us too, it dispels every shadow and we live in light everlasting.
Shall we pray?:
When we see only darkness, Lord Jesus, and fear what lurks in the shadows, remind us of the light of your love which never leaves us; a love that gave itself to light up our lives – forever. Amen.
Susan Brown is a retired minister, living in the Borders, having worked in the Highlands as well as the Lowlands!