Light Exposes our Darkness

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.


Purposely I didn't list the Scripture reference where this passage is taken from, because most people wouldn't believe that these are the verses after the infamous John 3:16. These are actually verses 19-22 which talk of the sharp contrast between the light and the darkness. The light of course is Jesus Christ as John proclaims in 1:4-5: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

What is shocking about these verses in John 3 is that "people love the darkness rather than the light." Their works are evil and thus they don't like to be around Christ, the light, in church, at home or anywhere, for Christ speaks to them the demands of the law and calls them to repent of these evil doings and turn to the beautiful radiance of His forgiveness. This they hate and so refuse! Believe me, we under-shepherds of Christ see this hatred when our preaching the Law and Gospel in their body language.

However, not so those who have been called and enlightened by the Gospel of Christ, for it is exposed that all their works are His doing, see Matthew 5:14-16. They readily confess their darkness and need for the light's cleansing and renewal. We die to our dark side and live to Christ, the Light of the world!

So in this penitential season of Lent we repent and turn away from our evil, dark works to the marvelous forgiving light of Christ! And this we do by His grace until He calls us home! Come, Lord Jesus.