- 17 hours ago
There is often a clash of kingdoms when the light appears amid darkness. Jesus testified to the Jews at the Feast of Tabernacles that He is the One who would give them (and us) the living water (John 7:38). He also said He is the Light of the World. His declaration of being the Light of the World prompted another attack from the opposing Jewish elite. When God's light is revealed, those called of God will come into the light, while those who oppose it will retreat into darkness.
19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God (John 3:19-21).
Some are attracted to the light, while others pull away. For various reasons, some people hesitate when they encounter anything related to the Kingdom of God, but God begins to work on them, and later, they come to the light because something attracts them. For example, Saul, the persecutor of Christianity—who became the apostle Paul—saw Stephen praying for his persecutors with his face shining with God's glory during the stoning of Stephen. “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). God began to work on Saul. Later, when Jesus confronted Saul on the Damascus Road, He said to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad” (Acts 26:14). The goad was a long stick with a pointed end used to prod oxen when plowing, especially if they stood still. The Lord was prodding Saul/Paul—stirring his innermost being with thoughts about faith in Christ. That prodding was triggered by the light Saul saw on Stephen's face.
When you stand up for your faith and shine the light and joy of Jesus Christ, you will find some who are interested, hungry, and thirsty for more. However, you will also encounter many who initially hesitate and respond with anger. We see this rejection and anger among the Pharisees and the religious leaders of Christ’s day. In his excellent commentary, Chuck Swindoll explains the stages of darkness that those who rejected Christ went through as they turned away from the Light of the World. It began with rejection, then accusation, and ultimately ended in violence.
1. Contradiction. “Your witness is not true” (John 8:13).
2. Cynicism. “Where is your father? We were not born of fornication (John 8:19, 41).
3. Denial. “We have never been enslaved by anyone” (8:33).
4. Insult. “You are a Samaritan. You have a demon” 8:48).
5. Sarcasm. “Who do you make yourself out to be?” (v. 53).
6. Violence. “They took up stones to throw at Him” (v. 59).[1]
Light has entered the world, but do you love the darkness more than the Light of the World? To respond to the Gospel and receive the gift of life, you need to welcome Him into your life: “To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). My prayer is that you will turn wholeheartedly to the Light and receive Him. Keith Thomas
Shortened from the more extended study at the following link: Jesus, the Light of the World
[1] Charles Swindoll, Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on John, Zondervan Publishers, 2010, Page 167.