Whoever Lives the Truth Comes to the Light

Sunrise, September 5, 2011, Myrtle Beach, SC

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, "Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life." When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.  Acts 5:19-21A

And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. John 3:19 -21

Piety

Coming Out of the Dark (By Gloria Estefan)

Why be afraid if I'm not alone
Though life is never easy the rest is unknown
Up to now for me, it's been hands against stone
Spent each and every moment
Searching for what to believe

Coming out of the dark, I finally see the light now
It's shining on me
Coming out of the dark I know the love that saved me
You're sharing with me

Writer/s: GLORIA M. ESTEFAN, EMILIO JR. ESTEFAN, JON SECADA
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group, Foreign Imported Productions & Publishing

Study

Jesus performs many of his greatest signs in the light of day, yet some of his most important discourses take place at night. In the still of the night, Nicodemus comes to Jesus and listens and learns as the light of the Word comes into his life.  The Word (aka Jesus’ light) overcomes the darkness of the physical night as well as the spiritual darkness of the Sanhedrin which opposed Jesus and delivered the ultimate verdict to betray Jesus.

St. John delivers the alternative verdict right after he says that the Lord did not come into the world to condemn it but to save it. “What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:3B-5)

This critical passage in the Gospel is paired with the night-time prison breakout of Peter and John.  Once out of prison, the Apostles did not hide in the Upper Room again but went straight to the temple area to continue teaching and converting people to the way of Jesus. Peter and John come out of prison stronger than when they were when they ran and hid after the arrest of Jesus. No longer would Peter deny Christ but he proclaims his faith through his words and deeds in the light where everyone can see him.  Despite the verdict for them to never preach about Jesus again, that is the first thing Peter and John do once out of prison. Even Nicodemus emerges from the darkness to overcome the fear that gripped him before being exposed to the light.  

“But whoever lives the truth comes to the light.” (John 3:21A)

Action

“Coming Out of the Dark” is considered by many to be Gloria Estefan's best song of all time – and her most symbolic. Her life was turned upside down because of the bus accident. She sings about that literal incident and her medical recovery.  However, she also realized the love that saved her.  What happened to her opened her eyes. She realized that God was her rock. He bore Her up. She saw the Light!

“Why be afraid if I'm not alone?”

What trials have you been through?  How has Jesus remained at your side throughout those trials so that you would emerge stronger?

Why be afraid if you are not alone?