AFRAID OF THE DARK
-Walter Rayburn
“After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore, Jesus said
to him, ‘What you do, do quickly.’ Now no one of those reclining at the table
knew for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposing, because
Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, ‘Buy the things we have
need of for the feast’; or else, that he should give something to the poor. So
after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night (John
13:27-30).
Only in John’s account
of the final Passover do we read the last words of the above passage. “It was
night.” Judas teaches us an interesting lesson in this account. Christians need
to be afraid of the dark. This sounds a little childish to adults today. After
all, our parents taught us not to be afraid of the dark when we were small
children. They would tell us that there was nothing to be afraid of because the
dark could not hurt us. However, as we look at the spiritual world, it becomes
important for us to become like little children that fear the dark. Perhaps if
Judas had been a little more afraid of the darkness in the world, he would have
thought better of his decision to betray the Son of God.
Why should Christians
be afraid of the dark? First, it is easy to lose our path in the darkness. When
we cannot see where we are going, it is difficult to stay on the right path.
This is why it is so important for Christians to stay in the light of God’s
Word. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and
a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Next, the darkness is often dangerous.
When we cannot see the dangers around us, it becomes impossible to avoid them.
Christians will never be able to completely avoid the dangers of sin. However,
walking in the light of God’s mercy can protect us. “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from
all sin (1John 1:7). Finally, Christians should be afraid of the dark
because darkness is away from God. In the first chapter of the Gospel of John,
Jesus is described as the light stepping into the world of darkness and sin.
Christians must avoid following in the steps of Judas. Judas chose to walk away
from the light into the world of sin and danger.
I think it is important for us to recapture
the fear of the dark we used to have as little children. Satan is real. His
mission is to steal souls from the hand of God. To accomplish his mission, he
employs a vast array of tools and temptations meant to trap us in sin. To fight
against Satan, Christians must stand in the light of God’s mercy, grace, and
love by obeying His Word. By doing this, we will stay away from the darkness
and dwell in the light of God forever (Revelation 21:25).
_______________
IN OUR PRAYERS- SHUT-IN:
Jason Duke (Camden Health Care), Levi Towater (skilled care in Mount
Juliet), Jerry Young (Lakeside in
McKenzie), and Kay Miles (at home). ONGOING:
Hank Rook, David Spain, Ernest Thorne, Randy Hatch, Laverne Hatch,
Vickie Cox, Dwight Bullington, Ross
& Darnell Cole, and Mercedes
Gibbons. UPDATES: Mary Lou Christian (returning to Atlanta for a CAT
scan and doctor consultation today), Jill
Shomaker (in Vanderbilt Hospital), Margie
Martin (received a good report from her doctor last Monday- will return in
three months for another check-up), Stephanie,
Sydney, Seiley, and Stormy Parish
(sick at home), Charles Sisson
(having trouble with a swollen hand), Jerry
Massey (back at church last Sunday), Gaye
Massey (sick at home), Randy Cochran
(sick at home), Kaye Barker (sick at
home last Sunday but back at church Wednesday night), and Muriel Larkins (at home not feeling well).
SYMPATHY: Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Ron Hogan, Sr. (father and father in law of Ron and Holly Young
Hogan) who died last Monday in Louisville.
BUSINESS MEETING: Today following afternoon services.
WHISTLE STOP BREAKFAST: Next
Saturday, January 16th, at 8:00 AM. Be sure to be there!
CHILDREN’S HOME CONTAINER:
Contents will be sent to a brotherhood children’s home this week.
LVIV CHURCH:
Please keep Stas & Ann, Dima & Alyona, and Bogdan & Alina in
your prayers. Nearly all of them have had a flu. They continue to have other
Christians and visitors present each Sunday and at other gatherings. The new
congregation is off to a very good start.
SCHOOL ITEM:
Spiral Notebooks (1 subject, 70 pages). Need
69.
Never
interrupt someone doing what you said couldn't be done.
-Amelia Earhart
