0409. DARKNESS AND DAWN.

DARKNESS AND DAWN.

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up" (Mat_4:16).

"DARKNESS" as emblematic of an unsaved state, is very frequently referred to in the unerring Word of God. Salvation is represented as a being "called out of darkness into His marvellous light." Those who have experienced this change, cannot but be perfectly conscious of it. In this verse there is a description of-

I. Man’s Condition without Christ. "The people which sit in darkness."

1. Darkness implies a state of IGNORANCE. Christ is the Light of the World; to be ignorant of Christ is to be in darkness about the Father, for "no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him."

2. Darkness implies SUPERSTITION. Where there is no light there is sure to be false and exaggerated views of things. The light of God’s truth always reveals the foolishness of man’s wisdom. His darkened mind cannot think the thoughts of God, and so he builds castles which have no foundation but in the air of his own fancy.

3. Darkness implies DANGER. The position is described in the text as being "in the region and shadow of death." To be in the malarial region of unforgiven sin, is to be in the shadow of the second death. Those who are in darkness cannot see the shadow; this makes their condition all the more perilous. To be in ignorance of Christ the Saviour is to be already in the region of death, having no fitness for the regions beyond, of eternal life and glory.

4. Darkness implies a condition of HELPLESSNESS. "They sat in darkness." When the light dawned upon them they were sitting in darkness, as if they did not know where to go or what to do. This is the attitude of those who have, through failure and disappointment, come to an utter end of themselves. All the sparks of their own kindling only made the darkness the more dense. It was when they discovered their own helplessness and hopelessness, that the "great light sprung up" (Mat_4:16). The darkest hour is the hour before day-break.

II. God’s Effectual Remedy. "The people which sat in darkness saw great light." The light that has come through the appearing of Jesus Christ is indeed a "great light." Those who are not satisfied with sunlight will never be satisfied with any light, for there is no greater than this. Those who do not find the light of Christ sufficient for the darkness of their hearts and lives, will for ever remain in darkness, for there is no greater light than this. There is nothing like light for overcoming darkness. Christ is that light, and this true light now shineth.

As darkness is emblematic of ignorance, superstition, danger and helplessness, so light is emblematic of knowledge, truth, safety and power. This light has come as God’s message of hope "To them which sit in the region and shadow of death" (Mat_4:16). Alas, that so many should condemn themselves, by preferring the darkness to the light, because they love the deeds that are evil (Joh_3:19). There be many who have seen this "great light," but there are few who follow it. While ye have the light, believe in it, and ye shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Autor: James Smith