Darkness and Light, Revealing

Darkness and Light, Revealing
As Jesus is sometimes referred to as light (Jn 9:5), a common metaphor to refer to conversion is the idea of enlightenment. This consists of recognizing God's grace and truth as manifested in Jesus, and an openness with one's life concerning both good and bad deeds. Sometimes the Scriptures speak of the knowing certain spiritual truths. Behind this is the idea that certain actions or results confirm spiritual truths that might otherwise only be believed.

Section	Text	Comments
2	JN 1:9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.	Not only was Jesus the true light, but that light could change every man.
2	JN 1:17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. [18] No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.	In an incredibly profound statement, Jesus and his way is contrasted with Moses and the law. Jesus' message was not about Law but about revealing God's grace and truth.
9	LK 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: [68] "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, [69] And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant-- [70] As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old-- [71] Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, and FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; [72] To show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, [73] The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, [74] To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, [75] In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. [76] "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; [77] To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, [78] Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us, [79] TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, to guide our feet into the way of peace."	Zacharias' song reflects Jesus bringing light to those in darkness. He comes from the house of David to bring salvation in remembrance of his covenant to Abraham.
15	LK 2:26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. [27] And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, [28] then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, [29] "Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; [30] For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, [31] Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, [32] A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Thy people Israel." LK 2:33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. [34] And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-- [35] and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."	Simeon's song reflects Jesus' bringing salvation to the Jews and light for the Jews and Gentiles alike.
36	JN 3:19 "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. [20] "For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. [21] "But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."	Here light is made to represent openness and truth; its antithesis is evil and secrecy. Part of conversion is coming into the light with one's deeds. This openness suggests not as much the confession of sin as much as the recognition of the good things done by sinful men as attributable to God. An obstacle to conversion is fear of this openness.
46	MT 4:14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, [15] "THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES-- [16] "THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND TO THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED." MT 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."	The proclamation of light to those in darkness was a part of the prophecies of Jesus. Yet, the message of this light was repentance.
118	MT 16:17 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.	Peter's great confession was the direct result of the Father revealing Jesus' identity to him.
138	JN 8:31 Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; [32] and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."	Those who believe and put Jesus' words into practice come to a realization of the truth of his words and ultimately experience freedom.
140	LK 10:20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." LK 10:21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You did hide these things from the wise and intelligent and did reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Your sight. [22] "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.	The Father revealed Jesus to the "babes" who believed in him.
187	LK 19:42 saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.	The Father hides things from the hard-hearted and unbelieving.
191	JN 12:37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him; [38] that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?"	The prophet Isaiah foresaw that believing would come through God's revealing.
216	JN 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."	The love of Christians is a powerful witness to all men. The response of this silent proclamation is unclear, except that people would recognize the apostle' connection to Jesus.