Hating Light, Loving Darkness

Day 123: John 3:1-21

“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” - John 3:19-20 ESV

I was once privileged to hear New Testament scholar Gary Habermas in a live Q&A. He laid out so many convincing proofs for the historical validity of the resurrection of Jesus. With so much rock-solid evidence, there were many of us in the audience that wondered why more skeptics don't turn and put their faith in Jesus. This intelligent man got very quiet and replied, "They ultimately don't want to change."

John 3:16 gets most of the headlines as we share the gospel with others. I mean, it is definitely all it is cracked up to be, but there is so much more we need to consider as we share the Good News of Jesus with the nations.

One of the most challenging hurdles to get over is the fact that people love darkness. They enjoy getting what they want when they want it. They love not having to be accountable to God. I mean, it does wonders for your conscience to believe that any lifestyle is fair game as long as you don't break any laws.

Yet Jesus is calling us to so much more. A life that doesn't run from the light for fear of getting caught, but a life that welcomes the warmth that the light of Jesus offers.

Jesus, expose us. Jesus, heal us. Jesus, send us.

"Jesus and Nicodemus were talking together at night. Jesus warned that 'men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil' and that one who does evil 'will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed' (John 3:19, 20). Jesus challenged Nicodemus to accept the Light that God had sent into the world, even God’s one and only Son." - Foster, L. (1987). John: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 44)