Ancient Darkness

Ancient darkness whispers through ancestry, culture, and superstition. The Jews in John 8 clung to Abraham’s name, convinced their genealogy guaranteed God’s favour. But Jesus shattered their illusion: “Your father is the devil.” Pride in their past blinded them from seeing God in the flesh standing before them.

Their ancestors had wandered, been exiled, colonised, and mistreated. Survival stories became identity anchors, but identity rooted in history or offence didn't grant salvation.

Some ancient peoples worshipped the true God of Abraham. Others bowed to animist spirits dwelling in the wind and stones, or to pantheist visions of a divine creation and universe. My own Celtic forebears revered ancestors, feared curses, and read omens in shadows. Bagpipes I love; haggis, not so much. But superstition and mythical gods bound them to fear, not freedom. Even today, international recognition and adoption of indigenous knowledge is not a path into the light.

Jesus spoke to this confusion. He says: “My words are the Truth; if you follow them, you will walk in freedom.” He and His words are the measure of reality itself. And He warns: “If anyone from any age or place isn’t following me, they walk in darkness.”

Friends, culture is a gift. Language, food, family, and traditions should be celebrated. But culture cannot save. Genealogy cannot redeem. The Jews were culturally awakened but spiritually blind. Embrace what Christ redeems in culture, reject what enslaves, and remember: Jesus alone reveals the Father. He is the Truth, the measure of all knowledge, the light that shatters ancient darkness.