Once upon a time, a baby was born. It sounds like the perfect start to a story—mom and dad holding their newborn, wrapped in swaddling cloths, under a starry sky. Everything peaceful. Everything right with the world.
But as much as we idealize birth, especially that of the Christ child, real human births are messy. There's crying and pain. There are sweating moms in labor and worried dads at bedside getting their hands crushed. It's not the sanitized version we imagine. Birth involves genuine pain and anguish.
So imagine the added pain for a mom who endures labor, expecting joy on the other side, only to discover her newborn baby is blind.
This was the reality for a couple in first-century Israel. In that culture, if your child was born with a disability, people assumed God was punishing you. The rumors would fly: "Did you hear? The baby's blind. Must be because they sinned before marriage." "I heard she cheated on him—the baby's not actually his." "God is protecting us by blinding him so he can't carry out his evil plans."
Not only would this baby grow up believing his blindness was God's judgment, but he'd grow up in a world with no Braille, no walking sticks, no opportunities for the blind. This poor, blind baby became a poor, blind man—until he met Jesus.
We encounter this man in John chapter 9. Jesus and His disciples are walking through town when they notice him. The disciples ask—right in front of him, as if he's deaf—"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
The question stabs like a knife. This man's parents probably loved him deeply, so having their integrity questioned would hurt. And he'd spent his entire life wondering why God allowed this. Now they're questioning his integrity too, compounding the pain.
But thankfully, the pain was about to end.
Jesus answered: "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." Then Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the man's eyes, and said, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam."
The man went, washed, and came back seeing.
Can you imagine that moment? A lifetime of emotional anguish due to physical ailment—gone. Moving from perpetual winter of the soul into the vibrant, seeing world. From overlooked outcast to someone seen by the Messiah himself. From darkness to light.
Which is why, right before performing this miracle, Jesus declared: "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:5)
Today is the second Sunday of Advent. This morning we light the second candle, known as the Peace Candle or the Bethlehem Candle. Although Bethlehem was a small town, it was important—both as the prophesied birthplace of Messiah and as the hometown of King David. The fact that Messiah would be born in David's ancestral line and in David's city shows us Jesus came as King. And the role of a king is to bring and maintain peace.
Last week, we saw that one of John's major themes is life. When baby Jesus was born, He brought true spiritual life with Him. Today, we discover another theme: light. When Jesus was born at Christmas, He brought true light to shine into the spiritual darkness of our souls and heal us from our spiritual blindness.
If you're joining us in this Advent series, you know we're spending our time in John chapter 1. John doesn't give us the narrative Christmas story like Matthew and Luke—he gives us a poem, rich with theological truth about who Jesus is.
Last week, we looked at verses 3-4 and saw a quick connection between life and light: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." This echoes Psalm 36:9: "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light."
Now John expands this theme. Let's read John 1:5-11:
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him."
From these seven verses, we'll see three things about Jesus: He is the open light, the only light, and the omnipotent light.
Look at verse 9: "The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world."
Light doesn't discriminate. It doesn't shine only on people of certain economic status, education level, or racial demographics. Light shines on all. Just as the physical sun shines on believer and unbeliever alike, Jesus the Son gives light to everyone.
However, not everyone receives or sees that light—because they're spiritually blind.
Verses 10-11 explain: "He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him."
Here is Jesus, the creator of all things, including humanity. He placed His image in mankind. Yet when He came down and took on human flesh, we didn't see Him for who He truly was. We didn't know Him or receive Him.
Pilate's Missed Opportunity
In the hours before Jesus' crucifixion, the Jewish leaders brought Him before Pilate. During their private conversation, the topic of truth came up. Pilate, feeling philosophical and wise, asked: "What is truth?"
What he should have asked was: "Who is truth?"
Truth was embodied in Jesus, standing right there in front of Pilate. But Pilate couldn't see Him for who He was—because he was spiritually blind. Throughout history, people have failed to receive Jesus because of this spiritual blindness.
But just because someone is spiritually blind doesn't mean the light isn't shining on them. Jesus gives His light to all.
A Question for Believers
If you proclaim to be a Jesus follower—meaning you've received His light—is His light shining through you to all, or only to those you like?
Are you only sharing the gospel with people who listen to the same music, vote like you, dress like you, watch the same sports? Or do you truly believe His gospel light is for all mankind—and show that light through your actions, words, and presence regardless of economic level, skin color, or education?
Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount: "You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:14)
If He's going to give His light to everyone, He'll shine it through you. Are you being a conduit for that light to everyone? Or are you only shining light on those you're comfortable with?
This doesn't mean we excuse sin. This doesn't mean all roads lead to God. But we must consider: are we truly being vessels of light to shine His light on everyone?
Many things in life claim to be light. Self-help books promise enlightenment. Podcasts offer meditation techniques, exercise routines, supplements. Different religions all proclaim to know the light we need to make it through life's darkness.
John wants to make absolutely clear: there is only one light. Jesus is the only light.
Travis's Story: Escaping False Light
A few years ago, a young man named Travis approached a pastor asking to be baptized. He explained upfront: "I've already been baptized. But my first baptism was into a cult."
When Travis was a college freshman, he met someone who invited him to what he thought was a house church meeting on Saturday mornings. An 88-year-old man led the group, and Travis thought he seemed incredibly wise and knowledgeable.
Over time, Travis learned that according to this group, the only way to be saved was to be baptized by this elderly leader. Travis wanted salvation, so he was baptized in a bathtub in that house and joined the church.
Over Christmas break, Travis excitedly told his parents about his baptism and tried to recruit them. The more questions they asked, the more worried they became. This cult was sinking its claws into every area of Travis's life—controlling his finances, time, decisions, and relationships.
His parents researched cult deprogramming centers and arranged for him to meet with a counselor over spring break. The cult didn't want him to leave, but his parents managed to get him home. Travis thought he was just getting a week away from school. Instead, he found himself in a deprogramming center.
The first couple days were rough. But eventually, Travis realized he'd been trapped in a cult. This wasn't biblical. This wasn't right. The 88-year-old man had tried to position himself as the light.
Travis finally realized: Jesus is the light.
As much as the old man seemed to know, he hadn't died on a cross for Travis's sin and risen from the dead. Travis told the pastor: "I want everyone to know I don't belong to that cult anymore. I belong to Jesus. Because Jesus is the only light."
John the Baptist Points to the True Light
This is exactly what John emphasizes in verses 6-8:
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light."
John the Baptist (Jesus' cousin) had one purpose: point people to Jesus, the one true light. His entire ministry was preparation for the Messiah.
Verse 9 continues: "The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world."
What Lights Are You Following?
There are many things that promote themselves as light. What lights are you following?
If it's not Jesus, here's the honest truth: it's a false light. And all false lights are nothing but shades of darkness.
Jesus loves you. He died for you. He wants to shine His light into you to heal you of your spiritual blindness. Through Him, we begin to see how to live this life.
If you've never surrendered yourself to Jesus, if you've never received His light, today could become your spiritual birthday. During this season when we celebrate Jesus' birth, wouldn't it be wonderful to also celebrate your birth—going from spiritual death to spiritual life, from spiritual darkness to spiritual light?
Most people, when they realize Jesus loves them, died for their sins, and rose from the dead, take a moment to pray. They confess their sin to God and say: "Jesus, because you gave your life for me, I now want to give my life to you."
The word "omnipotent" simply means all-powerful. Only God is truly omnipotent. And we see this quality in verse 5:
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Darkness cannot stop light. If you turned off every electric light in a room, candles would still shine. Christmas lights would still glow. Light from adjacent rooms would still pour in. Light doesn't stop at doorways. You cannot stop light.
Light always pierces through darkness like a hot knife through butter.
Jesus is the omnipotent light. This is why He invites you to receive Him. As Romans 8:31 says: "If God is for you, who can be against you?"
When Darkness Feels Overwhelming
The problem is, we go through life feeling like a lot is against us. We feel like God isn't all-powerful. We feel stuck in darkness.
If you've gone through a job search, broken relationship, financial crisis, health issue, or depression, you know what it feels like to be in darkness. You wonder how you'll possibly move forward.
Sometimes, God allows these seasons to help us think deeply: Do we want God, or just the benefits of following God? Do we just want the answer to our prayer (because if we get the answer, we get relief), or do we want Jesus—the true light, the only light, the omnipotent light?
Here's the crucial truth: If Jesus has healed you of your spiritual darkness and flooded His light into your soul, Satan cannot take that away. The darkness cannot overcome it.
If you belong to God, nothing can pluck you from His hand. His grip is that tight. You are His.
Don't Confuse Difficulty for Darkness
Don't confuse the difficulty you're experiencing with God abandoning you. He hasn't left. He's still with you. He might be doing something far deeper than you realize.
He might be helping you by not giving you the answer in your time, in your way, the way you want—because if He gave it that way, you'd trust the answer to your prayer as your light rather than trusting Him.
Maybe He's doing something far deeper, far greater, far more important.
I know it's hard. But Satan, no matter what he throws at you, no matter what comes against you—nothing can remove you from the One who loves you and died for you. Because He is the omnipotent light.
Keep Praying, But Chase Jesus
This doesn't mean you shouldn't pray. God knows you and loves you. You can see His love demonstrated through the cross and His power through the empty tomb. By all means, keep praying.
But don't just chase the benefits. Chase the One who can answer the prayer.
Because if you have Him, you have everything you need. And if He grants you the answer to your prayer, He'll do it out of His wisdom, mercy, love, and grace. You'll bask in His light all the more.
But if He doesn't answer it right away, it's okay. He knows you. He loves you. He's with you. He's working. And He will not be thwarted.
He is truly the omnipotent light.
As we continue through this Advent season, anticipating the celebration of Christ's coming:
Allow the open light of Christ to shine through you. Don't discriminate with God's light. Let it shine through you to everyone—regardless of who they are, what they believe, or how different they seem from you.
Allow the only light of Jesus to save you. Don't settle for false lights—self-help philosophies, worldly wisdom, or anything else that promises enlightenment apart from Christ. He alone is the true light that heals spiritual blindness.
Allow the omnipotent light of the Son of God to give you hope. When you're in darkness and difficulty, remember that nothing can overcome His light. If He's shining in you, that light cannot be extinguished by any darkness you face.
Just like that blind man who went from a lifetime of darkness to seeing Jesus, you can experience transformation from spiritual darkness to spiritual light. You can go from being spiritually blind to seeing clearly who God is and what He's done for you.
Jesus didn't have to come. He was already ruling and reigning. But it grieved His heart to see His creation spiritually blind. So He entered this world and became the light of the world so that through Him, we could see the Father.
Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. Whoever sees Him sees the Father.
This Advent season, receive the light. Let Him shine into your darkness. Let Him heal your spiritual blindness. Let Him transform you from death to life, from darkness to light.
Because when the light of the world entered our world on that first Christmas, He came to pierce through every darkness and bring hope, healing, and life to all who would receive Him.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
