“Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.” —John 3:19-21
Whenever I want to see something clearly, I simply bring it into the light. When the light shines upon the object in question, be it matching colors, spots and stains, or a necklace clasp, the light brings clarity and ease to an otherwise muddled and difficult to discern or do task. It is amazing what light exposes–just clean a window and then let the sun shine through–the light reveals the streaks all too quickly! Our spiritual life is no different. Wherever the light of Jesus shines, the darkness in our lives becomes evident. Jesus came as the light for all of us. John tells us:
“In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.” —John 1:4
“The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” —John 1:9
“But Jesus shouted out, “The one who believes in me does not believe in me, but in the one who sent me, and the one who sees me sees the one who sent me. I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness.” —John 12:44-46
Jesus came to get us out of darkness. Certainly this was what the prophet Isaiah was talking about:
“The people walking in darkness see a bright light; light shines on those who live in a land of deep darkness.” —Isaiah 9:2
Just as in creation God brought light out of darkness, He also brought light to our dark world by sending His Son. Paul tells us:
“For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.” —2 Corinthians 4:6
Jesus came to lead people out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness into God’s kingdom of love and light. Paul tells us:
“He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” —Colossians 1:13-14
Christ’s light came to shine upon the souls of men, yet we read in our verses for today many shunned the very light that would save them. Devoted to darkness, desirous to remain wallowing in their sin, they wanted nothing to do with the light. Not wanting to change or have their evil exposed, they chose to remain in their bondage to sin rather than turn to the freedom and abundance found in Jesus.
While Satan would have us believe the apple he holds out is beneficial and for our best, it will always bring death and destruction. Conversely, Jesus holds out to us life overflowing. As David tells us in the precious words of Psalm 23:
“You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full. Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life.” —Psalm 23:5-6
Take It to Heart
“Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world! The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” —John 8:12
“Don’t slack off seeking, striving, and praying for the very same things that we exhort unconverted people to strive for, and a degree of which you have had in conversion. Thus pray that your eyes may be opened, that you may receive sight, that you may know your self and be brought to God’s feet, and that you may see the glory of God and Christ, may be raised from the dead, and have the love of Christ shed abroad in your heart. Those that have most of these things still need to pray for them; for there so much blindness and hardness and pride and death remaining that they still need to have that work of God upon them, further to enlighten and enliven them. This will be a further bringing out of darkness into God’s marvelous light, and a kind of new conversion.” —Jonathan Edwards, Advice to Young Converts
“Now this is the gospel message we have heard from him and announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him and yet keep on walking in the darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” —1 John 1:5-7
Further Reflections
“Sinners who were wedded to their lusts loved their ignorance and mistakes rather than the truths of Christ. Wretched man is in love with his sickness, in love with his slavery, and will not be made free, will not be made whole. The true reason why men love darkness rather than light is because their deeds are evil. Their case is sad, and, because they are resolved that they will not mend it, they are resolved that they will not see it. Willful ignorance is so far from excusing sin that it will be found to aggravate the condemnation. Christ is hated because sin is loved.” —Matthew Henry