Are you afraid of the dark? “Well, no,” you say, “at least most of the time.” But there are occasions when the darkness gets creepy. You just get the feeling that some kind of evil could be lurking out there.
We usually associate darkness with evil, and light with good. That is because evil things tend to prefer the dark whereas good things tend to prefer the light. This contrast is used by the Apostle John to talk about what it was like when Jesus came into the world: John 1:4-5 says, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John is saying that Jesus is the light. He is moral goodness and truth, and when He came into the world, He was like a candle shining in a dark room.
The word “darkness” is the Greek word skotia that means “dim or obscure.” It comes from a root word meaning “shade or shadow.” Actually, it is a word expressing the absence of light. In a figurative sense, it is used to refer to the absence of moral goodness.
Now, by using the word “darkness” John is referring to the fact that ever since the fall of Adam and Eve, the work has been characterized by sin. As darkness was upon the face of the deep in creation before God said, “Let there be light,” so moral darkness was upon the entire world before God again said, “Let there be light,” and Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world.
In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Do you know Christ as your Savior? If not, you are walking in darkness, and that is a scary thing. Walking in the light with Jesus if far better than walking in the darkness without Him.
Now you know the real meaning of the word.
Are you afraid of the dark? Well, come to Jesus and He will turn the light on.