19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Whenever I want to see something clearly, I simply bring it into the light. When the sun shines upon the object in question, be it matching colors, spotting stains or clasping a necklace, the light brings clarity and ease to an otherwise muddled and difficult to discern or do task. It is amazing what the light exposes – just try to clean a window and then let the sun shine through – it certainly brings to light the flaws of the streaks all too quickly! Our spiritual life is no different. Wherever the Light of the Son shines, the darkness in our lives becomes incredibly evident. Jesus came as the Light for mankind. John tells us:
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. John 1:4 (NIV)
9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:9 (NIV)
44 Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:44-46 (NIV)
Jesus came to get us out of darkness. Certainly this was what the prophet Isaiah prophesized about, quoted also in Matthew 4:16:
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
Just as in creation God brought light out of darkness, He did also by sending His Son to bring light to the hearts of those living in darkness. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians:
6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6 (NIV)
Indeed, Jesus’ commission to Paul confirms this:
15 "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' "'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 16 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Acts 26:15-18 (NIV)
Jesus came to lead people out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness into God’s kingdom of love and light. Paul tells us in Colossians that Jesus has rescued us from the dominion of darkness bestowing upon us redemption and forgiveness:
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col 1:13-14 (NIV)
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 evil deeds, they wanted nothing to do with the light. Indeed, everyone that loves evil hates the Light. Not wanting to change or have their evil exposed they would rather remain in their bondage to sin than turn to the freedom and abundance found only in Jesus.
“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
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)
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:
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalms 23:5-6 (NIV)
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "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 (NIV)