More Than a Metaphor

Earthly images of light and darkness are perfect metaphors for defining the place our Light, Jesus, holds in our lives. Whether we are talking about a lighthouse, or the common household light sources that help us function every day, it is easy for us to understand light is a good thing and darkness is a bad thing.

Even Jesus used metaphor to illustrate how light and darkness reminds us of truth and evil. In John 3:19-21 He says, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

However, it is important to understand Jesus, as Light, goes beyond metaphor. We can describe Him in terms of our personal experience here, but He has light we have not seen and possesses truth we cannot understand. This becomes relevant when we face a crisis in our lives that seems insurmountable. Just because we can’t see solutions doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Jesus sees what we don’t see and understands how the smallest details of our day fit into His Father’s tapestry of time.

Jesus isn’t just similar to the light we see here. He “is” Light. He is the author of all things light, just as His Father clothes Himself in light (Psalm 104:1-3). Therefore, there is no darkness so dark it cannot be pierced by His glory.