Christ Opposed, Light Opposed
Oh Comforting Darkness!
A Devotion
The Goodsoil Discipleship Ministry
By Bro. Andy Madonio
09AP05
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 -- " Luke 2:34
We see every day in our nation how Christianity is singled out for criticism and ridicule and 'special' scrutiny far beyond other beliefs or lifestyles. Some nations even consider converting to Christianity worthy of death. Movies and other prevalent media usually portray 'Christians' as dangerous unbalanced lunatics.
Why? Because when the human Jesus was 8 days old, God gave Simeon a prophecy, a word of knowledge, concerning that baby. And once revealed, all knew God's plans for Jesus.
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples. Luke 2:30-31
Part and parcel to those plans is a true and stark understanding of our moral and spiritual condition, and that is what is so vigorously, vociferously, and vehemently opposed - even to this day.
Man, This Is Confusing!
Man, and man's enemy, are both opposed to man understanding the truth about man's condition. The truth is a revealing light, and darkness despises all light. Oh Man! That's so true!
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend [Or overpower] it. John 1:4-5
Darkness hates light because light obliterates darkness. It requires nothing more of light than its manifest presence to vanquish it's shadowy opponent. Darkness seeks, by it's very nature, to hide, frighten and control. Light, by it's very nature, can not help but reveal, edify and bring freedom and independence.
Could that be why we say and do and feel and even think the way we do and hope our Saviour isn't watching, and how at those times we actually hope for the shadow of darkness to cloak our true heart's condition from . . . even Him? If so, we are culpably aware of what the true light has already revealed:
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,"
12 Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day
Psalm 139: 7-12
