John 9:4-5 (NIV): “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
As long as Jesus was in the world, He was the light of the world – the light that helped people to see so that they could do the work of God. He was removed from the world twice, and during those gaps the work of the Church did not move forward, because His people could not see their way.
The first was during His brief death, while He was in the tomb. During those hours His followers were not continuing His work, but were hiding in fear from both the Jews and the Romans. When Jesus rose on the third day, it was like the sun rising again to light the worlds of His disciples; they could see once more, and the kingdom work of preparing the workers moved forward.
The second time was the 10 day period after His ascension. This time the loss of light was different. Instead of the darkness of hopelessness, the disciples lived in the twilight of an Arctic late spring day: the sun dipped briefly below the horizon, but its light still brightened the sky until, just a short time later, it charged above the horizon again in all its brilliance. For those ten short days the disciples gathered for prayer, ever anticipating the coming of the Holy Spirit, and during those days the overt work of the kingdom paused. Then, on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit was poured on the whole group, old and young, male and female. And in that outpouring, the disciples joyously realized that Jesus was now present again, this time filling their hearts in company with the Father and the Holy Spirit, because where One is, all Three are present. The sun had risen, the new day had come, a day without sunset, since Jesus had promised to never leave them or forsake them ever again, and the work of the kingdom moved forward. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.” (Revelation 21:23-25 NIV)
Father, I thank You that I live in this new, eternal day. Since You filled my heart, I have been in Your presence always. Now that we have the light in our hearts, help us to work passionately to do the work of the Kingdom, so that Your Kingdom may become the living reality You have destined it to be. Amen.