Leave the Light On" (John 1:1-18)

This morning we have heard a lot about Jesus as being the “light”.  We hear in the Gospel of John this reference to “light”: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; and without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of men . . . The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.”

This metaphor of “light” to describe Jesus is appropriate and relevant because it is “light” that reveals.  The “light” takes away the darkness and allows that which seems hidden to be seen.  In this case, Jesus as the “light” reveals God . . . God’s presence . . . God’s love . . . God’s grace.  Jesus, as the “light”, reveals it all for anyone and everyone to see . . . it is there for anyone willing to see.

I remember from years ago, how my parents used to tell me on those evenings when I was going to be out late, that they would “leave the light on” for me.  And, I can remember how much I appreciated this act and what it came to represent to me . . . a sense of security, a sense of welcome, and a deep sense of home . . . that there was someone who was waiting for me.  I can also remember, as a parent of teenage children, how Dana and I would tell them that we would “leave the light on” for them on those nights they were out.  It was our way of letting them know . . . that we cared for and loved them . . . that we would be waiting for them.

I am sure that this is something all of us have heard from those who love us when we are away . . . that they will “leave the light on” for us.  It was in 1986 that Motel 6 took advantage of that old saying making it their recognizable motto in their advertising.  Hiring Tom Bodett--an author, voice actor, and radio host on National Public Radio--they acciddently stumbled on the saying when Bodett ad-libbed it at the end of the first commercial he did for them.  He said, “I’m Tom Bodett for Motel 6, and we’ll leave the light on for you.”  For over 32 years we have heard that reassuring voice telling us that we are “welcome” . . . that we are always “wanted” . . . as the light will be left on for us.
 
I have always said that the secular world has trumped the religious world when it comes to simple theology . . . and, in our case this morning, Motel 6 has done the same thing.  As we celebrate the gift of the “light of the world” being given to us, we need to remember that this celebration is a reminder that the gift represents the fact that God will always “leave the light on” for us.

It is a “light” that shatters the darkness.

It is a “light” that allows us to see . . . to see God.

It is a “light” that shows us God’s love . . . God’s grace.

It is the “light” that shows us the way . . . “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)

And now, it is our responsibility to keep the “light” shining.  It is our job to “leave the light on” for those who are still in the darkness, those who have yet to come . . . those who are seeking.  Together we spread the “light” in the world where we are.

God has left the “light” on for us . . . let us share the “light” . . . let us “leave the light on”.  Amen.