0783. The Reasons for Christ's Rejection

The Reasons for Christ’s Rejection

"Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (Joh_3:19).

This is one of those verses which we know to be true, but which must ever make us marvel. Two things are said:

1. Men loved darkness rather than light. This is a fact, stated in clear bold type. It is a fact true to the whole history of the race.

(1) Adam and Eve, as soon as they had sinned, sought to hide themselves. They sought also to cover their nakedness with fig leaves.

(2) Cain sought to hide away the villainy of his murder with the words: "Am I my brother’s keeper?"

(3) Achan hid his silver and gold in the midst of his tent. He sought to cover up his tracks.

(4) Saul took the best of the sheep and oxen. He tried to cover his sin under a semblance of piety. Failing in this, he then tried to excuse his deed by laying the blame on the people.

(5) Absalom loved darkness because it served the purpose of his rebellion against his father. Under cover of faithful serving he stole the heart of the people of Israel, and then attempted to rob his father of the throne.

It is true in every age and clime: "Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." "They that are drunken are drunken in the night." The deeds of the wicked are "the unfruitful works of darkness." The wicked are "darkness;" while saints are "children of the light."

When we are born again, we pass from "darkness into light;" we come "to the light that our deeds may be manifest."

2. There is a second reason why men reject Christ. "The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (Joh_1:5). Not only did men love darkness, but they were so engrossed in darkness that they failed to discern the light.

The god of this world had blinded their eyes "lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, * * should shine unto them" and convert them (see 2Co_4:4).

Satan always seeks to becloud the light which shines forth in faithful testimony concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.

He knows if the light shines through, the darkness must disappear. For this reason satan has always sought to discount the Deity of the Son of God. Unless Jesus Christ is all that He is alleged to be in the 1st chapter of John, all that was suggested under our first and second considerations, He is not the light of the world.

For this reason satan has always sought to make unpopular the Gospel of Christ. The message of Christ crucified, Christ risen and Christ coming again, is the light of salvation to all who believe. A false message is darkness.

Oh, how satan blinds the eyes lest the light of the glorious Gospel should shine in and men should be converted.

Man is in darkness. The true light shines, but the darkness comprehends it not.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR