The contrast between darkness and light can be found throughout the Bible. Since the creation story of Genesis, God spoke light into the world, separating it from the darkness with His first command, “Let there be light!” Later, John 1 describes Jesus as the “Light of the World” and states in 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” In Ephesians 5:8 we read, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” And of course Jesus made it clear in Matthew 5:14 that not only is He the Light of the World, but we, as Believers, are as well. He told us, “You are the Light of the world.”
Recognizing how often light and darkness are used in the Bible, it is worth considering the following implications:
· God made light in response to darkness. Though darkness was everywhere, God was not satisfied for there to be only darkness, so He created light.
· Darkness does not overcome light, but light overcomes darkness. Darkness makes the light more distinct. Light, on the other hand, transforms darkness. With a little light, darkness is diluted. As light increases, darkness decreases until it is completely gone.
· Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the true Light, and He cannot be overcome. The religious and political leaders couldn’t do it, satan couldn’t do it, temptation and sin couldn’t do it, death certainly couldn’t do it, and the grave couldn’t do it either. It cannot be done! His Light shines, and the darkness cannot overcome His Light.
· Jesus says that His followers, are also the Light of the world. We are not only His Body, but He has come to dwell in our hearts, therefore, we are able to share in His role as the Light of the world.
· Jesus also said that light should not be hidden. No one hides the lamp under a basket, but rather displays it in a way that can provide the most light. A lamp is lit for a reason, When light is hidden, light is wasted.
· Darkness has no light. Jesus said that people love the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds are evil. We must realize that as we are the Light, the darkness will resist us, reject us, misunderstand us, and fight against us. There is no fellowship between light and darkness.
Each Scripture concerning darkness and light brings us to two critical truths. First, being the Light in a world filled with darkness is not easy. It will always be counter-cultural. The natural bent of the world is towards darkness, and the world will stand opposed to us as we shine the light of Christ. The brighter the light in us, the more we will receive resistance. Consider the martyrdom of the apostles and the early Church, or even those around the world today who are imprisoned and killed for the name of Jesus. Standing firm in the truth of Christ, against the tide of the society at large, is not an easy thing to do.
The second truth, however, is this: Darkness cannot produce light. As such, where will the world find Light, unless we have enough courage to let the Light of Christ shine through us? It may be lonely at times, and it may be difficult, but, brothers and sisters, we are the Light of the world. Shine.
As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.