If you turn to Gen. 1:16, you will find the first mention that God makes of the sun, or “greater light.” It was to rule the day, give light upon the earth, and divide the light from darkness. We can think of what a dark, dismal world this would be without the genial rays of the sun, which the Lord God made to cheer and gladden His creation.
It is the center around which a vast system of planets revolve, and has a most powerful attraction for every other body. Now, I want to ask my reader who it is that answers to this great light in the New Testament. At once you reply, Jesus. Yes, it is quite true, and if you will read the first chapter of John’s gospel you will see how it is. As we are unable to look upon the bright, shining sun with our natural eyes, no more could we gaze upon the glory of Jesus which He had with the Father before coming into this world. But when there is a covering over the sun, as an eclipse, then we can look directly at it; and, when Jesus came into the world He veiled His glory by taking upon Himself the form of man, in such a way that man could look upon Him, and those whose eyes were enlightened saw in Him only light, without a particle of darkness. 1 John 1:1-5.
This world, morally and spiritually, is just what the natural world would be if we had no sun—a scene of utter darkness. Therefore did the Lord Jesus say: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46.
So we see that by nature every one of us, without exception, is in a state of darkness. If you were lost in a dark cave you could never get out, unless you had a light, and someone to tell you the way. Jesus is the light and He is the way. If you believe in Jesus you shall not abide in darkness; if you follow Jesus you shall not walk in darkness. John 8:12; 12:46.
The Lord Jesus, in His great love to you and me, sent His Apostle Paul to the Gentiles, “to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.” And what is the blessed result? “That they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in Me.” Acts 26:18.
Dear reader; have you believed in that light that you might be a child of light? John 12:36.
G. B.G
ML 05/06/1900