John 3:18-21
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.
Imagine waking up in a dark room. At first, you feel lost, not knowing what’s going on, or where to go. Then, someone turns on the light, and suddenly, you can see everything clearly. You can get up and walk confidently without stumbling. That’s what Jesus does for us—He shines light into the darkness of our lives.
This passage tells us that Jesus is the Light of the world, sent by God to save us from sin and bring us into His truth. Yet, not everyone welcomes this light. But why?
Verse 18 reveals a hard truth: That those who reject Jesus are already condemned. Jesus took the first step to pay for our sins on the cross. Anyone who does not believe this, has condemned themselves. Condemnation isn’t something that happens later when we have to stand before the ultimate Judge. Condemnation is the result of choosing to remain in darkness. This darkness here represents more than just ignorance—it’s an intentional rejection of Jesus’ saving grace and rebellion against God.
At times, we might avoid the light because we’re afraid of what it will reveal. Perhaps, because of guilt or shame over something we’ve done. But staying in the dark doesn’t make the problem go away—it only keeps us trapped in our sin.
Verse 19 tells us that people often “love the darkness” because it hides their deeds. Have you ever avoided facing the truth because it felt easier to ignore it? Maybe you didn’t want to confess and admit you were wrong, or to make a hard change and repent. That’s the pull of darkness—it feels safe because it hides what we don’t want to deal with. But it’s a false sense of safety.
In contrast, verse 21 describes those who step into the light. They don’t do this because they’re perfect but because they trust God to work in them. The light exposes our flaws and our sinful nature, yes, but it also shows us the path to healing and spiritual freedom. When we come to Jesus, we find not condemnation but grace and transformation.
This passage challenges us: are we willing to step out of the darkness, to choose to live in the light of Jesus, and embrace His truth and redeeming light? The light can feel uncomfortable at first, but it leads to life and peace, and a closer relationship with God.
Is there an area of your life where you’ve been avoiding the light of Jesus?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for being the Light that shines in our darkness. We confess that sometimes we resist Your light because we’re afraid of what it might reveal. But today, we choose to trust You. Help us to step out of the shadows and into Your truth and guidance. Shine Your light on the areas of our lives that need Your grace and redemption. Give us the courage to live by Your truth and reflect Your light to those around us. May we experience the joy and freedom of walking with You every day. In Your name, we pray, Amen.
Imagine waking up in a dark room. At first, you feel lost, not knowing what’s going on, or where to go. Then, someone turns on the light, and suddenly, you can see everything clearly. You can get up and walk confidently without stumbling. That’s what Jesus does for us—He shines light into the darkness of our lives.
This passage tells us that Jesus is the Light of the world, sent by God to save us from sin and bring us into His truth. Yet, not everyone welcomes this light. But why?
Verse 18 reveals a hard truth: That those who reject Jesus are already condemned. Jesus took the first step to pay for our sins on the cross. Anyone who does not believe this, has condemned themselves. Condemnation isn’t something that happens later when we have to stand before the ultimate Judge. Condemnation is the result of choosing to remain in darkness. This darkness here represents more than just ignorance—it’s an intentional rejection of Jesus’ saving grace and rebellion against God.
At times, we might avoid the light because we’re afraid of what it will reveal. Perhaps, because of guilt or shame over something we’ve done. But staying in the dark doesn’t make the problem go away—it only keeps us trapped in our sin.
Verse 19 tells us that people often “love the darkness” because it hides their deeds. Have you ever avoided facing the truth because it felt easier to ignore it? Maybe you didn’t want to confess and admit you were wrong, or to make a hard change and repent. That’s the pull of darkness—it feels safe because it hides what we don’t want to deal with. But it’s a false sense of safety.
In contrast, verse 21 describes those who step into the light. They don’t do this because they’re perfect but because they trust God to work in them. The light exposes our flaws and our sinful nature, yes, but it also shows us the path to healing and spiritual freedom. When we come to Jesus, we find not condemnation but grace and transformation.
This passage challenges us: are we willing to step out of the darkness, to choose to live in the light of Jesus, and embrace His truth and redeeming light? The light can feel uncomfortable at first, but it leads to life and peace, and a closer relationship with God.
Is there an area of your life where you’ve been avoiding the light of Jesus?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for being the Light that shines in our darkness. We confess that sometimes we resist Your light because we’re afraid of what it might reveal. But today, we choose to trust You. Help us to step out of the shadows and into Your truth and guidance. Shine Your light on the areas of our lives that need Your grace and redemption. Give us the courage to live by Your truth and reflect Your light to those around us. May we experience the joy and freedom of walking with You every day. In Your name, we pray, Amen.