In Complete Darkness
Good News – June 2012 – Grace & Truth Magazine
In Complete Darkness
Very few of us have actually experienced complete darkness. In the Western world, even on the darkest nights, with no visible moon or stars, there always seems to be light from somewhere – street lights, vehicles, house windows, shops, etc.
A number of years ago I visited a Welsh slate mine, and three levels down the guide asked us all to switch off our head lamps and look around. To further illustrate the darkness, he invited us to hold our hand up in front of our faces. It was as near complete darkness as I have ever experienced.
Even after a few moments I hoped my eyes would acclimatize, but I still could not see anything. We rely on what we see to orientate ourselves, and when we try to walk around in such darkness we lose sense of direction, orientation, perception of distance and even our balance.
The Bible speaks of darkness in a number of ways. Those who do not know God and do not believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, are described as being in darkness. Jesus said that “men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:19 niv). Because we are sinners we try to hide the things we do, and what better place to hide them than in the dark.
Jesus described Himself as “the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12). The apostle Paul explained to the Christians in Corinth what this would mean: “He (Jesus) will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts” (1 Cor. 4:5).
As well as this, Jesus can give us this light if we believe in Him. If we do not believe, Jesus Himself explained on two occasions that those who reject Him will be thrown “into the darkness” (Mt. 22:13; 25:30). Darkness here means separation for all eternity from everything and everyone, and most especially God Himself.
When Jesus was on the cross, the Bible tells us that “darkness came over the whole land” (Mk. 15:33; Lk. 23:44; Mt. 27:45), showing the whole world that for three hours He took our sins upon Himself, and not even God could look upon Him.
No one wants to spend eternity in darkness, away from God. Now is the time to respond to the wonderful offer that Jesus made: “He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12).
If you want to know more about how to come “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9), we can tell you more.
By Gordon Smith
This article used by permission from ALIVE! Magazine, Scripture Truth Publications.