Advent 3: Gospel, John 1:6-8, 19-28                                    

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Can you measure darkness? When you’re in the dark do you really concern yourself with its degrees. Scripture speaks about “gross darkness” which one can take to mean complete absence of light, and it actually carries the idea of heaviness. The kind of darkness where your own hand cannot be discerned even just inches from the eyes. That’s darkness.

How dark is the darkness of the world? I’m writing this first thing on a Monday morning, so I guess this seems to me a rather gloomy way to begin my week. But it’s necessary for me to express what the gospel reading brings to mind. The writer of the gospel of John refers to another John. As an aside I have to share that I am fascinated by the Baptist. In some ways I find myself wanting very much to meet him. I would have loved to watch him in his preaching ministry. And I say “watch” because to me, he fulfills all that I perceive the Old Testament prophets to be. He was their culmination after all. On the other hand, much of his preaching fire would have been pointed at me, I fear. I think we have little concept of the trembling John the Baptist put into the hearts of his “targets.”

The opening of our reading is so simple: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John” (1:6). It almost carries weight by its simplicity. Do you sense that? One John putting another John on display if you will. The one John pointed to the other and said, “Pay attention to this one.” Good counsel, but do listen to both. Now the gospel author gives clues to the why of the Baptist’s appearance: “He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him” (1:7).

How dark is dark? Well apparently in this world, God sees we need someone to point to the light. Stunning isn’t it? You’ve been in a dark room when a match has been struck or you hear the flick of a lighter and see the result. Your eyes go immediately to the light that secures our gaze. No one has to point us in the right direction. But, alas, in this world the darkness is so dire that we need someone to point to the light; the light that comes to save.

The remainder of our reading illumines (pun intended) the declaration of the prophet: Jesus of Nazareth. John immediately begins to step aside because Jesus is so very great that John wouldn’t even stoop to untie His sandals. You see John is of the darkness. And he knows it. But oh how he loves the light he sees in Jesus. Do we? Does the ineffable, impenetrable light cause us to shy away, or do we long to get just as close as the Light affords? It’s an important question. It’s a necessary question. With all this season brings, I’ll leave you to ponder …

Jesus, the true Light.