Luke 22:39-53
What has gone wrong with the world today? Good is portrayed as evil and evil is proclaimed as good. What's the reason for this so obviously backward mindset? One of the greatest thinkers and writers of the 20th century, G. K. Chesterton, summed up our problem when he said,"We are long past talking about whether an unbeliever should be punished for being irreverent. It is now thought irreverent to be a believer."
Irreverent to be a believer. Hmmm… In no time in history has this statement been truer. From the movie screen to our TV screens, those who follow God’s ways are being marginalized (and worse) for no other reason than that they call themselves Christian.
Our world’s deteriorating standards captured the attention of one high school principal. At the beginning of one of his school’s football games, Principal Jody McLoud took the microphone and made this statement:
It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games to say a prayer and play the National Anthem to honor God and Country. Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this facility to condone sexual promiscuity by dispensing condoms and calling it safe sex. If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a viable means of birth control. If someone is offended, no problem. I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as simple-minded and ignorant and call it enlightenment. However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God and ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone except God and His Commandments. Nevertheless ... I shall ... refrain from praying at this time. However, if YOU feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God, and ask Him in the name of Jesus to bless this event, please feel free to do so.
One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and in the announcer's booth. The only place they didn’t pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America – the seat of justice in the one nation under God. Could it be that we are living in a visual illustration of the ominous words of Jesus? In Luke 22:53, He was speaking directly to those who were openly opposed to Him when He said…
But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns. Luke 22:53
The time when the power of darkness reigns. And while we are absolutely living in that time, it’s crucial that we remember one thing. The power of darkness has a time to reign for one reason only. Because it is allowed to by God. Just as on the night Jesus said those words, God allowed the darkness to prevail – for a time – to fulfill His purpose.
Darkness. Our world seems almost consumed with it. But our lives don't have to be. Jesus came as the Light of the world. As we receive His life in us, we are no longer subject to the darkness. And the warmth of His Presence will draw others to the flame.
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark: the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. ~ Plato
