Jesus Metaphors are the Best Metaphors
There's a winding road near our house frequently traveled on our way to and from town.
Usually when I have the kids along it’s daytime. We drive past the sign that indicates the road will be twisting and turning. Attached to this sign is an orange flag-shaped reflector that extends out the side.
One day my oldest daughter asked, “What is that sign for? The orange one?”
“It's a warning,” I responded. “So drivers are given a heads-up that the road is twisty.”
She tilted her head and furrowed her brow. “Can't they see it is?”
I chuckled and nodded. “Yeah good point. But the orange flag is for nighttime. It's a reflector. When the lights of a car head toward the curve, it shines and the driver sees it. You don't notice in the daytime because there's light all around. But when everything is dark, the light shines brightly.”
When everything is dark, the light shines brightly.
The statement prompted me to think further about this phenomena. Most of us can think of a time we've been in total darkness and seen a bright light shine through. The driving example is a good one because we are literally moving through the darkness and the unknown looms ahead.It brought to mind how Christians use this light metaphor all the time. It's especially popular in contemporary music. I feel like there's always a current song about a lighthouse or a light on the hill or something.
For some reason usually when I think of it, I associate it with the command to “let your light shine before others.” Be a light. Shine people toward Jesus.
But the verse I should really be focusing on, the Truth that grants me even the tiniest bit of shine, isn't anything I can possibly do… it's the essence of this verse in John:
But the verse I should really be focusing on, the Truth that grants me even the tiniest bit of shine, isn't anything I can possibly do… it's the essence of this verse in John:
I love Venn Diagrams. Is that the nerdiest thing you've ever heard me say? Probably not. You're welcome. But really I love these things. Man, you take a good metaphor and unpack it with a Venn Diagram, you'll be amazed at what you can learn about an author's intention. (Remember, I taught HS English?)The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
So let's consider this sign on my road.
It's pitch black out. You're driving along. All the sudden your headlights pick up that reflector and there's a bright light shining at you right there in the midst of the darkness.
And the darkness cannot overcome it.
It's a warning about what's ahead; it's a beacon. It tells us about where we are. Furthermore, it's trustworthy. I know if I see a sign like this, there is a reason. And it's way brighter than the darkness. It contrasts dramatically with the nighttime. It is bright to be sure.
Jesus, the light of men, shares these qualities. He is trustworthy. His light is bright and certainly contrasts with the darkness. He tells us so much about where we are. And His light is powerful.
Unlike the light created from our headlights, however, the light of Christ is not about us reflecting Him. In fact, without His light in us, we have nothing to shine. We are dead in our sins.
But instead of leaving us that way,
“God who said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 4:6)
Then to reiterate the source of this light, the next verse says,
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
Here Paul introduces another metaphor, but I don't want to launch into a second Venn diagram. Suffice it to say, delicate clay pots who have been molded by their maker, have no capacity on their own.
This verse then drives home the point that we do not create this light on our own. It is not related to our own abilities or strength to carry the light.
“The surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
This is the God who said “let there be light!” This God who parted waters, and brought down the walls of Jericho, and brought David to his knees. This same sovereign God, “shines in our hearts to give (us) the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” He creates faith in our hearts, and opens our eyes to the Truth of who Christ is - our Savior and rescuer. Our life light.
No matter what darkness I might face,
no matter how twisty and winding the road ahead of me,
the light of my God cannot be overcome.
When everything is dark, the light shines brightly.
And the darkness cannot overcome it.
It's a warning about what's ahead; it's a beacon. It tells us about where we are. Furthermore, it's trustworthy. I know if I see a sign like this, there is a reason. And it's way brighter than the darkness. It contrasts dramatically with the nighttime. It is bright to be sure.
Jesus, the light of men, shares these qualities. He is trustworthy. His light is bright and certainly contrasts with the darkness. He tells us so much about where we are. And His light is powerful.
Unlike the light created from our headlights, however, the light of Christ is not about us reflecting Him. In fact, without His light in us, we have nothing to shine. We are dead in our sins.
But instead of leaving us that way,
“God who said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 4:6)
Then to reiterate the source of this light, the next verse says,
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
Here Paul introduces another metaphor, but I don't want to launch into a second Venn diagram. Suffice it to say, delicate clay pots who have been molded by their maker, have no capacity on their own.
This verse then drives home the point that we do not create this light on our own. It is not related to our own abilities or strength to carry the light.
“The surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
This is the God who said “let there be light!” This God who parted waters, and brought down the walls of Jericho, and brought David to his knees. This same sovereign God, “shines in our hearts to give (us) the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” He creates faith in our hearts, and opens our eyes to the Truth of who Christ is - our Savior and rescuer. Our life light.
God is light. In Him there is no darkness.
1 John 1:5No matter what darkness I might face,
no matter how twisty and winding the road ahead of me,
the light of my God cannot be overcome.
When everything is dark, the light shines brightly.
