It isolates, inhibits movement, proposes all sorts of challenges. He is limited by this, as anyone who is trapped by any kind of darkness. The man lives in darkness because he cannot see. Yet the blindness serves to represent him who has not yet encountered the light. Some will say that the sin of his ancestors was the reason for his blindness, but Jesus will dispel this notion in the teaching he gives as the story develops. 8:12) c omes to the man born in darkness which is represented by his blindness. Jesus, “the Light of the World” (John 9:5 cf. The passage recounts the cure of the man born blind. The theme of light shining in darkness is again encountered and developed in the Gospel reading for Sunday’s liturgy. The full force of everything that darkness represents will try to blot out the light. The forces of darkness are now goin g to throw everything at Jesus. The evangelist then writes: “And it was night” (John 13:30). Jesus tells Judas, “What you do, do quickly,” and Judas leaves. After this Jesus identifies his betrayer. Jesus is on the verge of offering himself on the cross as he illustrates in the washing of the feet. Darkness is conquered by light.Īnother powerful use of the theme is at the Last Supper. Jesus calls him out of the darkness and into the light as he says: “Lazarus, come out !” (John 11:45) At Jesus’ words, Lazarus is restored to life. He is wrapped in burial cloths head to toe. When Jesus arrives, Lazarus is in the tomb sealed off from the light of day by a large stone covering the entrance. The sorrow and grief that come with death particularly for Martha and Mary can be described as dark. Then in the death of Lazarus himself.ĭeath is seen as the ultimate victory of darkness. First in foreboding when Jesus receives word that Lazarus is sick but does not go to Bethany immediately.

First, in the account of Jesus’ restoring Lazarus to life (John 11:1-45). We see the theme at other places in the Gospel as well. The call to faith is a call to the light, a call to Jesus himself. Here the darkness may represent ignorance or perhaps a lack of faith or underdeveloped faith. Jesus’ meeting with Nicodemus represents a call to faith. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:15-16). As the conversation continues Jesus says: “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. Jesus says: “I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (John 3:5). Jesus speaks with Nicodemus and “enlightens” him about the Kingdom of God.