John 3:19-20: And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
A very common fear among children (and many adults too!!) is being afraid of the dark. Even a little night-light can make a major difference in our perception and imagination of what is concealed in the darkness. But is it really the darkness that causes us the fear? You’ve probably seen on either television or in a movie a scene that resembles the following: A man is in bed at night and is awakened when he hears something. He gets up, grabs his trusty baseball bat and creeps around the house looking for the source of the noise. The lights are off as he’s searching, but it is only when the he turns the light on that the problem is revealed and the confrontation is on.
People are really more afraid of the light than the darkness. What?! Isn’t that the exact opposite of what I just said? Today’s verse tells gives us illumination on the truth of light. Ephesians 5:13-14 states the inevitable, “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible.” The illumination of one’s sinful nature and deeds is one of the more scary and painful points in a person’s life.
But this is the will of God – “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John12:46) and “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.” (1 Corinthians 4:5) The Bible is so powerful because it lays out the way things are (the truth), but then it shows God’s desire and ability to deliver us into a life in peace with Him (the promise). Regarding what it’s like living in darkness (the truth), Jesus makes the following statements: “It is when he walks by night that he stumbles for he has no light.” (John 11:10); and, “… the man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.” (John 12:35). Until we see our lives under the light of Christ, we stumble, we’re lost, we’re deceived, and we’re alone.
Now the promise – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) It is the blood of Christ that covers us that makes us immediately holy in the eyes of the Father upon accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Jesus is the truth and the light – in God’s terms, these traits are equal. Sanctification – converting our sinful nature to Christ-likeness through the power of the Holy spirit – is a life-long process of God’s light (truth) shining in our darkness (the lie) and revealing those parts of our nature that must be changed and put into submission and obedience to His will.
So is it really the darkness we fear, or is it what’s going to be revealed when the light shines that scares us? While the process can be painful at times and may even seem a little scary, God promises that we will see the light (Jesus) at the end of the tunnel (the darkness). That is why when He so often came into the presence of people He would say, “Don’t be afraid”. If you believe in and confess Jesus Christ with your lips, you have nothing to be afraid of – especially the light.