Afraid of the dark?

 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:18-19).

This is an interesting statement, “men loved darkness rather than light” because when we think about darkness and light, it seems as though it should be the other way around. Physically, people in general are afraid of the dark or uncomfortable in it. There are many that are nervous about even sleeping in the complete darkness and prefer a nightlight. It makes sense that someone would prefer light over darkness because we need light to do our everyday activities like fix lunch, read a book, drive, etc. All of this requires that we have some kind of light source.

There is one exception to men preferring physical light over darkness. This is how you tie in the idea of spiritual darkness and light mentioned in John 3. A person who has just robbed a jewelry store or committed a murder is not going to look for physical light. Instead, he will avoid it at all costs so he won't be exposed because of his wicked deed. This is what Jesus was talking about with spiritual darkness. Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Sin not only offers a person pleasure, but it also offers a person a hiding place if they continue to remain in it. The reason so many people shy away from Jesus is because, since He is the light, He will expose them for who they truly are. This is why so many shy away from the Bible because it does the same. It will tell them that they are in sin and they need to change their life. It is a wise choice to come to the light because one day there will be no darkness left in which to hide. Jesus said in Luke 12:2-5, “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”

Jonathan Glaesemann