Read John 1:1-14

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made divine light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT).

The 1960 horror film “Horror Hotel” (also known as “The City of the Dead”) opens with a chilling scene set in 1692, where Elizabeth Selwyn is burned at the stake for allegedly practicing witchcraft. As the flames engulf her, she cries out to Satan, promising her soul in exchange for vengeance. This disturbing prologue sets the stage for a tale of darkness, superstition, and ultimately, the triumph of light over evil.

Before delving deeper into the film’s themes, we must acknowledge the tragic reality that inspired such stories. The witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries represent a shameful chapter in Christian history. Thousands of innocent people, many of them devout Christians, were tortured and executed based on ignorance, fear, and often, petty grudges. This period serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing darkness – in the form of superstition, prejudice, and mob mentality – to overshadow reason and compassion. It is crucial to recognize that these trials disproportionately targeted women, often those who defied societal norms or were simply vulnerable.

In “Horror Hotel,” we follow Nan Barlow, a college student who travels to the fictional town of Whitewood to research its history of witchcraft. As mentioned at the opening of this devotion, the film opens with a chilling scene set in 1692, where Elizabeth Selwyn is burned at the stake for practicing witchcraft. As the flames engulf her, Selwyn makes a pact with Satan, cursing the town and promising her soul in exchange for immortality and vengeance. Nan soon discovers that this curse lives on, with the town trapped in a cycle of ritual sacrifice to maintain Selwyn’s immortality. The film portrays Whitewood as a community shrouded in perpetual gloom, both literal and spiritual, where the past and present seem to blur together in a nightmarish haze.

Nan’s journey to Whitewood is driven by her intellectual curiosity and bravery. She embodies the spirit of inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge, challenging the darkness of ignorance that has long plagued the town. However, as the story unfolds, Nan becomes a victim of the very evil she sought to understand. This reflects a common trope in horror films where female characters are often placed in peril, necessitating rescue by male characters. It is important to acknowledge this dynamic and recognize the systemic barriers and dangers women often face when pursuing knowledge or challenging established norms.

However, the film also shows us the power of light to penetrate even the deepest darkness. Nan’s brother Richard and her boyfriend Tom refuse to accept her disappearance, persistently seeking the truth despite the dangers. Their determination to uncover what happened to Nan represents the light of knowledge and love pushing back against the forces of evil and secrecy. In their quest, they embody “the burning truth” – a relentless pursuit of light that refuses to be extinguished by the surrounding darkness.

The climax of the film sees Tom wielding a cross to defeat the witches, symbolizing the triumph of faith and goodness over darkness. This echoes the biblical truth expressed in John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” No matter how overwhelming the darkness may seem, it cannot ultimately overcome the light. The burning truth of God’s love and justice will always prevail.

In our Scripture passage, John 1:1-14, we see a profound declaration of Christ as the eternal Word, the source of life and light. Just as the light in “Horror Hotel” eventually overcomes the darkness that has engulfed Whitewood, so too does the light of Christ penetrate the darkness of our world. The passage reminds us that this light “gives light to everyone” (John 1:9), offering hope and salvation to all who receive it. This is the ultimate burning truth – that God’s light is available to all and can transform even the darkest situations.

In our own lives, we are called to be bearers of this burning truth. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.” This means confronting darkness wherever we find it – in our own hearts, in our communities, and in the wider world. It means challenging ignorance with education, countering hatred with love, and dispelling fear with faith.

The lessons of “Horror Hotel” and the historical witch trials remind us of the importance of critical thinking and compassion. As Christians, we must be vigilant against allowing fear or prejudice to cloud our judgment. Instead, we are called to shine the light of Christ’s love into the darkest corners of our world, letting the burning truth of God’s love illuminate the path to justice and reconciliation.

Just as the heroes of the film persevered in their quest for truth and justice, we too must persist in our efforts to bring light to those around us. This may involve standing up against injustice, offering hope to those in despair, or simply showing kindness in a world that often seems cruel and uncaring.

Remember, no matter how deep the darkness, the light of God’s love is always stronger. Let us be the bearers of this burning truth, pushing back the shadows and illuminating the path to truth, justice, and compassion.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
How can I carry the burning truth of God’s love into the dark places in my life and community today?

PRAYER
Lord, make me a beacon of Your burning truth in this world, dispelling darkness with Your love and light. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.