Darkness frightens us. The invisible things that may be lurking in the darkness and especially the things we imagine are scary. So, when we are lying in bed before falling to sleep, we cling to our favorite stuffed animal, doll, action figure or blanket. We hope whatever we cling to can rescue us from whatever is out there in the dark.
Darkness poses many threats to us. We may no longer hold a blanket or stuffed animal, but we all rely on something to help us when it is dark. One of the most common tools we rely on when it is dark is the flashlight on our smartphone. Wandering through our homes at night, the smartphone flashlight saves us from the pain of running into, stepping on or tripping over clothes, toys, animals, bedframes, etc. Even outside our homes, we trust in the many smartphones apps to navigate us through life. The smartphone may have replaced blankets or stuffed animals for many of us, but they have their limits. Each year a new model comes out, every few weeks there are updates and every few days we forget to charge our phones. Of course, we would have to be able to find the correct charger for our phone to charge it in the first place.
There is a darkness worse than the black screen of a battery dead smartphone. The darkness of sin is worse than any physical darkness or frightening figment of our imagination. To combat the dominion of darkness, Paul in his letter to the Colossians shines a light on Christ as King. Colossians focuses on the supremacy of Christ as ruler over all things in heaven and on earth, and his position as the Head of the body of believers, all Christians of all time. As our King, Christ rescued us from the sin darkened world and the sin that lurks in our hearts.
Though Christ our King has rescued us from sin, darkness still makes strong arguments that Christ is not the King. Sin blinds us so that we bow before many thrones that do not have Christ seated on them. One throne in particular appeals to us all, and it is the throne with our name engraved on it. Our perspective on life may lean toward optimism or pessimism, but we are the common denominator. We believe that we know a situation better than anyone else. We trust our knowledge and life experience to know that what someone else is choosing to do is wrong. We secretly and sometimes not so secretly think that to call our view of a situation an opinion would be a lie because we are right. We know all the facts and figures, all the possible outcomes and who will be affected. Our classmates, coworkers, spouse, children, parents, extended family, the government, pastors, celebrities and strangers all ought to bow before our throne to honor us as king or queen. This is the dominion of darkness. The empty vacuum of our sinful nature that cannot be satisfied takes, seeks to control, critiques and embraces the delusion that Christ is not King. But Scripture shines a light on our sin. For the Colossians it shined on their confidence in secret knowledge and good works. It shows us that we are not kings and queens with our own superior intellect and way of life. We have not and cannot crack the code to enlightenment. And beyond us, there is no smartphone, device, person, thing, cause, nation, etc. of this world that will ever be sufficient to rescue us from our blind sinful darkness.
Christ our King rescued us. Against the arguments of the dominion of darkness is the truth of Jesus. Paul in our New Testament reading from Colossians 1, shined the healing light of what Jesus has done for us, 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. There is no variety of things to choose from to give us salvation. Only Jesus has saved us from sin, death and hell to give us eternal life, purpose, forgiveness and peace. In our Gospel reading from Luke 23, we see our lone King on the battlefield fight for us, 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” Darkness blinded the world to its Savior, and Jesus was mocked as if the crowds were yelling at some player from the opposing team out on the field but past his prime. Darkness hid the gravity of Jesus sacrifice on the cross from the crowds, but God did open the eyes of some to see the Light of the World. One of the two criminals who was crucified along with Jesus testified to the truth, 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Though this criminal would not live to see Jesus’ resurrection, he trusted in and held onto the words of Christ the King.
Our King shed his blood to make peace between us and God. Jesus did not sit full of power on a throne far from the battlefield away from his subjects. Our king brought all his strength against our enemy and won. God himself stood, was broken and hung lifeless as the answer to darkness. For all the moments we have served our own darkness, Jesus was buried in darkness for three days. For all the moments we have had the opportunity to shine the light and did not, Jesus did shine the purest light of truth, love, forgiveness, gentleness, respect, honor, patience, etc. Jesus gave us his righteous innocence and healed us from the darkness through the cross and resurrection. Our supreme answer to sin’s guilt, shame, suffering and death is recorded by Paul in Colossians 1, 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. In one of the most detailed descriptions of Christ, Paul brings us back to the cross, where we find our perfect peace with God.
We need to be ready for the arguments against Christ. We hear arguments from others and from within that seek to undermine the power of Christ. Today we saw water and the Word of God in baptism wash away sins and bring a baby girl into God’s kingdom, which darkness calls foolish. Today we will receive bread and wine along with the body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, which darkness calls foolish. We hope in the resurrection of the dead and eternal life in heaven, which darkness calls foolish. We suffer for our faith, and we suffer in general from sickness, loneliness, abuse, injustice, death, etc. all while testifying, “God is good,” which darkness calls foolish. We must recognize the voice of darkness in those who seek to destroy our faith and drive us away from Jesus. Our Old Testament reading from Jeremiah 23, records God’s judgment against the wicked kings of Israel that scattered his people by driving them away from the LORD. But God promised to send them faithful shepherds, today called pastors, to point them to the Messiah, the Christ. Be very aware of who your pastor is and who is shepherding you. Only follow those who point you to God, who promised in Jeremiah 23, 5 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.” Jesus is the LORD Our Righteous Savior. We are not lost to the dominion of darkness. In the face of darkness and sin, we only need God’s Word because it is backed up by who he is and what he has done.
In the darkness, we may cling to our favorite stuffed animal or blanket for comfort or rely on smartphone apps to navigate us through life. The darkness of sin is worse than physical darkness or a dark screen on a battery dead phone. Only Christ our King rescued us from the darkness of sin, death and hell. He has made peace between us and God through his blood shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Christ our King has, is and will always rule over all things in heaven and on earth for us. We will live in heavenly light forever because Christ our King rescued us from the dominion of darkness. Amen.
Gunnar Ledermann, Pastor Divine Peace Church
Gunnar Ledermann
I’m passionate about Rockwall’s vibrant community and actively engage with local non-profits and community organizations, including the Rockwall Chamber of Commerce, the City of Rockwall, and the Downtown Rockwall Association. My background includes a bachelor’s degree in Classical Languages and a master’s degree in divinity. Currently serving as a pastor at Divine Peace Church in Rockwall, I also enjoy spending time with my wife, Marinda, and our five children.
