Ephesians 5:8 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”
Sometimes I forget that I was darkness. In the pre-Christ days when I worshipped myself instead of my Creator, I didn’t realize how much I needed someone to save me from the dark. You would think I’d always remember how darkness used to define me, but I suspect I’m not the only one who comes to take the light we walk in for granted.
I watched some of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial a few weeks ago. As you probably know, he was the 17-year-old who shot two and wounded one of the rioters during the 2020 protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Portrayed by the prosecutor (and the press) as a white supremist, they accused him of “crossing state lines to come and kill black people.” But it turns out, they were wrong. The men he shot were all white. He actually worked in Kenosha and went to help the business owners whose businesses had been destroyed, and to care for the wounded. He carried his gun for protection, and a video of the incident proved he acted in self-defense.
As Rittenhouse stood before the judge, the jury rendered their verdict on all five counts. On the first count…Not Guilty. On the second count…Not Guilty. And on the third, fourth and fifth counts…Not Guilty! Emotion overcame Rittenhouse, and he collapsed when he realized he was fully acquitted.
As I watched his emotion, I started thinking about standing before the Lord on Judgement Day. All my sins, mistakes, accusations leveled against me—both true and false—will be exposed. But after every count, I’ll hear the Lord pronounce me Not Guilty…Not Guilty…Not Guilty! The blood of Jesus completely exonerates me.
The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would come as a great light (Isaiah 9:2). “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse reminded me of the great light that declares me innocent. The light that delivered me from darkness and lives in me now.
I pray that this Christmas season that great light has found a home in you as well.