Drawn to the Light
Photo by Richard Pasquarella on Unsplash
The Power of Light
Light is powerful. Daily activity dramatically increases with the dawn of a new day. Many people are drawn to seashores as the sun breaks through the night and floods the sky and sea with its powerful beams of light.
Light attracts insects at night. Having lived in the tropical climate of the Philippines for many years, it seemed like zillions of insects came out at night. They would gather at porch lights and our security lights around the property. So would the geckos and other creatures that fed on them.
When encouraging people in the midst of their personal darkness, we speak of “light at the end of the tunnel” as an expression of hope to come. But when a person’s soul is crushed with anguish and hopelessness, they tend to draw back into the darkness and shadows around them.
A truth that’s hard to ignore is how many dark deeds seem more likely to occur at night than during the day. Whether robberies, murders, or other nefarious acts, darkness acts as a shroud to cover these crimes or whatever activities people don’t want seen.
The first act of creation is God speaking light into existence (Genesis 1:3), and God is—by nature—Light (1 John 1:5). John declares at the beginning of his gospel that Jesus is the light of life for all humanity, and His light is never conquered or extinguished (see John 1:5 NIV).
There may seem to be a lot of darkness and dark deeds in the world, but the light of God will not be quenched by this darkness. We need to choose to be drawn to the light of God or remain in the darkness of this world.
Scripture
No one has gone to heaven except the Son of Man, who came from heaven. “As Moses lifted up the snake ⌊on a pole⌋ in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. Then everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.” [vss 13-15]
God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. Those who believe in him won’t be condemned. But those who don’t believe are already condemned because they don’t believe in God’s only Son. [vss 16-19]
This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil. People who do what is wrong hate the light and don’t come to the light. They don’t want their actions to be exposed. But people who do what is true come to the light so that the things they do for God may be clearly seen. [vss 19-21]
(John 3:13-21 GW) [Context– John 3]
Key phrase—
God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.
Reflections...
Probably the most quoted verse in the Bible is found in this chapter—John 3:16. But to understand the greatness of God’s love and His promise of eternal life, we need to understand this promise in its context.
In verses 14-15, John speaks of the Lord’s death on the cross as a point of restoration and likens it to when Moses erected a bronze snake in the sand as a visual connection to God’s healing power for those bitten by poisonous snakes in the wilderness (see Numbers 21:5-9).
John then points out the purpose of Jesus coming to earth, when God became human, to bring redemption for all humanity—to reconcile and restore humanity. God personally intervened in human history through His Son Jesus to provide a cure for the poisonous effect of sin.
Unforgiven sin’s poison brings disease, division, disorder, and death to all of humanity on earth (see Romans 5:12-17). This is why God became human, so He could reverse this ongoing curse of sin (see Genesis 3:14-19).
But receiving this promise of restoration and eternal life is a choice. Sadly, many people can’t or won’t let go of the darkness in their lives to embrace the light and receive the promise of abundant and eternal life Jesus offers.
But those who are drawn to His Light and receive this promise are healed and restored by the great love of God. The choice is yours and mine. I chose the light and life found in a personal relationship with Jesus.
What’s your choice?
Digging Deeper...
Who alone has gone to heaven and come from there? What illustration is given that is connected to this?
How do this statement about the Son of Man and the illustration in verses 13-15 relate to the famous Bible verse—John 3:16?
What great assurances and promises are given in this familiar Scripture?
What are the contrasting statements given in this text, and how are they not in opposition or contradiction to each other?
Taking it to heart...
What condemns a person—their sin or their unbelief? How is this known from this text?
What is the important choice a person needs to make between light and darkness, and why do you think it's difficult to make?
Why do you think many non-believers see Christians as judgmental when Jesus did not come into the world to judge it?
How would you tell others these truths in your own words (IYOW) so they understand them?
Personalize it...
God so loved the world, but the world did not love Him back. God proved His love by giving His Son as a Mediator and Savior for all those who choose to trust in Him—turning their backs on the darkness of sin to embrace the powerful light of His love.
If you haven't experienced God's healing restoration by believing and trusting in Him, don't wait any longer—simply ask Him to be Lord of your life in your own words. If you've trusted in God's Son, ask the Lord for opportunities and simple, understandable words to share this great promise.
