Light and Dark

Light and dark is a common image in the Bible.


The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5 What fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

If you have a candle and a dark night, you can do this, or you can take the trip with me in your imagination....





You have lit candle burning steadily in your hand. You are standing outside on a dark night. You keep your eyes on the candle's flame as you walk. It gives off warmth and comfort, and when you look straight at the light everything else around you seems pitch black. Wherever you shine the candle the darkness seems to run away.

Stand for a little a while with the candle lit.

Now blow it out.

Everything is dark. You can't see a thing. But then, gradually your eyes adjust and the darkness doesn't seem so black anymore. Gradually you can see a bit more, and a bit more. Eventually think, maybe this is ok. I don't need the candle as much as I thought I did. It's a bit cold and a bit bleak, but I can get by without it.

Now imagine that light is Jesus. Look straight at him, and in comparision you can see the worldly things for what they are - dark and evil. The contrast is stark and obvious. It is clear to you - the warmth and light, the love and steadfastness of God is pure and draws you to Him.

Extinguish that light, take your eyes of Jesus. At first the world seems frightening. You can't see your way.

But spend enough time there, and your eyes will adjust. You get used to it. You think you can see alright. You forget what it looked like when you compared it to Jesus. Right and wrong - What's that? Everything is just shades of grey.

You can do this life on your own, right?