Sun vs Moon
| For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2Corinthians4:6) |
You might say that the sun lights up the day and the moon lights up the night.
But the difference is more fundamental: The moon does not "shine" of its own accord - it reflects the light of the sun.
Paul is saying something similar about us. He draws an awesome parallel between Creation and Re-Creation (Salvation):
When the universe came into being, it began with those momentous words: "Let there be light!" This light was the foundation and pre-cursor of life as we know it. Without light there was no creation. Without light there was no life.
When it comes to the human soul, light (spiritual light - truth and love - the knowledge of God's glory ) is needed. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1Jn.1) But our hearts have been darkened (veiled) by our brokenness and failure. We have no light of our own.
But God shines His light into the world. Jesus is that light. Listen to His words in John 8: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
And He shines this light into our hearts - and what is that light?
Jesus is that Light.
Paul says that we see the glory of God in the face of Jesus!
Jesus:
- friend of sinners
- protector of the weak
- healer of the sick
- bread of life
- the Lamb of God
- the Way, the Truth and the Life
- the Son of God who willingly became the Son of Man
- the comforter of the broken
- the shepherd finding the sheep
- the One who calms the storm
- the One who forgives sins
- the One who died on a cruel Roman cross
- the One who rose again - pulverising the power of death
- the One who sends His Holy Spirit
- the One who is coming again!
This Light shines in our hearts...
.
..
... and we can reflect it!
