September 15, 2017

A New Command

“Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in Him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.”  1 John 2:8

The woman was so excited.  Her eyes grew big as she shared what had happened in the past few weeks – events that she described as a miracle.  It was a true, genuine miracle.  She had seen it for herself and she was absolutely convinced God had intervened in an impossible situation to create a possibility.  She was unmovable in her description and in her faith.  It was awesome to see.

It was as if the apostle John was in the same room, because this verse sums up what I witnessed, and what the woman was re-telling.  The truth is seen in Him – meaning Jesus.  The truth is also seen in us – wow!  How can that be?  Well, John tells us.  The darkness is passing and the true light has already started to shine.  The light is Jesus – He is the Light of the world.  When the light shines on the darkness, the darkness is overcome by the light. 

It is a new command because it includes Jesus and it includes us.  We have roles to fulfill in this command.  This woman was working to fulfill her part.  She had seen the Lord shine His light in a messy, disastrous situation.  The darkness was removed by the presence and power of His light.  The woman knew it was something only God could do.  She was experiencing the glorious presence of the Kingdom – the future coming into the present, or heaven coming to earth.  The two touched, connected, light burst forth and suddenly there were options where there had been no options.  The woman didn’t keep this to herself.  She was much like the woman at the well, dropping her water pot and running back to town to tell everyone.  As the woman shared the story, there it was – the light in her eyes.