Study of John - Week 4

Verse 5: “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” To me, this verse beautifully illustrates how God works and reveals Himself to us with simple things.

Proverbs 2:12-14 talks about the darkness that is mentioned here by the author. We can see in nature how light cannot be extinguished by darkness. When I was a teenager, I was able to tour a cave in Carlsbad that was not on the normal route and was only open to guided tours. At the halfway point, the Park Ranger had us all turn off our flashlights and let our eyes adjust for a few seconds. It was complete darkness and the darkest place I have ever been in my life. In fact, you could not see your hand in front of your eyes (literally). He then turned around and lit a single candle (he had to turn around to protect our eyes). The single flame from the candle lit the enormous chamber that we were in. The chamber was roughly 100-yds by 70-yards and the ceiling was about 30-40 feet high. In this deep darkness, a single flame was enough to light it completely. In other words, all of the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the smallest flame. Jesus is the light of the world and no matter how much darkness is in the world, it cannot defeat the light.

The darkness cannot understand the light. This is a very important concept. The understanding of the things of God is given to us, not something that we have in ourselves apart from God. God grants understanding to those he chooses (those that are His children). 1 John 5:20 says “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.” The world (or anyone who rejects God and Jesus) does not understand the light and is therefore hostile to it. It is a condition of the heart and God knows our hearts. Proverbs 2:1-6 says “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” The reward is shown here, but those that reject the understanding and wisdom that God can give do not receive it and therefore cannot understand the ways and truth of God. Proverbs 2:9 “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path.” Jesus Himself says in Matthew 11:25 “I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, but revealed them to little children.”

QUESTION: Where have you heard or seen something that was presented as if was good and everyone should do it, but you knew that it was full of darkness. How did you deal with it?