The prayer Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya ‘Lead from darkness to light’ is from ancient sacred writings of India. This prayer has been enchanted by millions in India for many thousands of years. This prayer must flow from the innermost heart of everyone.
In the Bible, in John’s Gospel, a person named Nicodemus makes his appearance on three occasions. First, we see him approaching Christ as an uninvited guest. Nicodemus was a Jewish leader, a Pharisee who as a group opposed Christ, and he decided to visit Christ by night. His words and behaviour reveal that he was attracted by the personality and teachings of Christ (John 3:2). His choice to visit with Christ by night might be because of his fear of society.
Christ made use of the opportunity to teach Nicodemus about the real light: “…the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness more than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.” (John 3: 19-21) The light of God’s love is available to everyone. We are to come into that light more fully and allow Him to scatter the darkness that lingers within us.
For Nicodemus, his later life was a journey into the light. In the seventh chapter of John’s Gospel, we see Nicodemus intervening in favour of Christ against the Pharisees. “Does our law judge a nan without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”(John 7: 51). These words reflect his willingness and readiness to speak publicly for Jesus. We understand that he has begun to strive to become a man of light.
Later we see Nicodemus helping with the burial of Jesus’ body. “Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds” (John 19:39). Here we understand that his life has become very bright, full of light. A wonderful transformation did happen in his life.
The life of Nicodemus can be a model for everyone. We may be living our lives in darkness. We may be moving about in darkness. We may be on the path of darkness. Our pride, selfishness and divisiveness are all synonyms of darkness.
Once it happened in a village. There was a person who was selling candles in the village. He earned his livelihood by making and selling candles. Everyone used to visit his shop, purchase the candles and light them at night. Gradually he noticed that the number of his customers was decreasing. One day he called someone and asked, “Why don’t you come to buy the candles now?” The answer he got was quite surprising.
“We have become familiar with our ways; we can walk along even when is dark. Even if we walk in the dark at night we don’t miss our steps; we can walk in the darkness without falling. We are sure of ways.”
Aren’t we like those villagers most of the time? We are used to walking in the dark, and a change is not necessary! But it is better and necessary to be in the light. The life of Nicodemus should be an eye-opener for everyone.
This article is a translation from the Malayalam book ‘Ottachirakulla Malakha‘(One Winged Angel) written by G. Kadooparayil