Real Darkness

Bible Reading: John 3:16-21

“How was this cave discovered?” Ryan’s dad asked the tour guide as they took an elevator into the depths of Jewel Cave near Custer, South Dakota.

“It’s an interesting story,” replied the guide. “In 1900, two prospectors heard wind rushing through a hole in the rocks. When they enlarged the hole, they found a cave full of sparkling crystals. The Jewel Cave National Monument was established in 1908 to protect this beautiful cave.”

The elevator stopped, and they stepped out. Following a paved, lighted pathway, they climbed up and down more than seven hundred steps. Ryan was fascinated with the colorful rock crystals hanging like giant icicles. Away from the light, deep darkness enveloped the caverns. “With over two hundred miles already mapped, Jewel Cave is one of the longest caves in the world, and more has yet to be explored,” the guide said as the tour group stopped in one of the chambers. “In a minute, I’m going to turn off the lights, and you’ll see what real darkness is like.”

Oh, great! Ryan thought with a frown. You always hear about tour guides doing that—like we’ve never been in the dark before. But when the lights went out, Ryan gasped. Whoa, this really is dark, he thought. He couldn’t see his fingers, even though he put them right in front of his eyes. It was much darker than the darkest night Ryan had ever experienced. At home during the night, he could at least see some shadows. “I can almost feel the darkness here,” he whispered to his dad.

“Now I’m going to leave you in the dark while I take a coffee break,” the

guide said.

Everyone laughed at the joke, including Ryan, but he felt a little shiver go up his back at the thought of being left in such darkness. Suddenly he remembered his teacher at church telling the class that Jesus died and rose again to rescue people lost in the darkness of sin.

Wow, thought Ryan when the guide turned the lights back on. I’m glad our guide was just joking about leaving us in this dark cave, but being in the darkness of sin is no joke. I was in a place a lot darker than this before I knew Jesus. I’m so glad He came to rescue me!

-Linda Weddle

How About You?

Are you lost in darkness—the darkness of sin? There’s only one way out of that darkness. The Bible calls Jesus the light of the world. He’s the only one who can save you from sin and lead you from darkness to light. Trust Him to rescue you from the darkness of sin and give you His life-giving light. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse:
John 8:12 [Jesus] said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.” (ERV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus is the light of the world