[Biblemat] A> The Power Of Darkness

[Steven C. Harper]

Brethren,
For some reason, this did not go through on Saturday so I thought I'd post it again. I apologize in advance if this was somehow double-posted, but I did not see it.

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From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. 
Editor: Steven Harper 
January 11, 2007

The Power of Darkness

 

     When the religious leaders determined that they were going to put Jesus to death, they did not do so immediately and did not even desire to take Him in the presence of the crowds, "for they feared the people" (Luke 22:2). When they had secured the pledge of Judas to betray Him, Judas then "sought an opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of a crowd" (vv. 3-6). The cowardly opponents of Jesus were notorious for their intimidation of others and for casting out anyone with whom they disagreed, especially if they could not answer (cf. John 9), but Jesus was different; they feared Him and what He might do to the point they were willing to put Him to death (John 11:47-53). But even then they were not so brave as to take Jesus in the presence of His disciples or the crowds because they were cowardly. They waited until the right opportunity, and then they acted.

     And when the mob came to Him with swords and clubs (Mark 14:43), it was not in the middle of the day and the crowds were conspicuously absent. No, the ones who came for Jesus came with lanterns and torches (John 18:3) because it was at night! No doubt, the religious leaders were standing far enough back, with the thugs between them and Jesus, but Jesus spoke directly to them, asking, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:52-53).

     Jesus rightly said that the hour was theirs and further stated that the power of darkness was what facilitated their cowardly deeds. But I believe that statement is worthy of further examination because those men were not the last to act using the power of darkness for the success of their deeds. Sadly, many men comprehend the power of darkness and use it to their own evil ends, and if the righteous are not aware of its power, they can also be 'taken' by others who wish to do them harm or who wish to keep them bound in darkness. Let us consider this not that we may use it for our own selfish ends, but that we may avoid situations where darkness may reign, and be prepared to defend ourselves when those who love the darkness move against us. Let us see what the Bible says about it!

     Darkness Hides Evil Deeds. Why do you suppose the religious leaders came to take Jesus at night? The simple answer is: They did not want the crowds to see their evil deed! That was what Jesus was referring to when He spoke of the power of darkness. Darkness hides evil deeds, or at least makes it more difficult to see. There is a reason more crimes are committed during the nighttime hours than in the daylight hours [though in some places that is not true]. Since darkness is the absence of light [by which our eyes are able to see], evil men prefer to work in the darkness so they cannot be seen. This has long been true, for even Job said, "There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths. The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief. The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, 'No eye will see me'; and he veils his face. In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light. For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness" (Job 24:13-17). Is this not true even today?

     Let's apply this principle to the spiritual realm, shall we? Consider that there are many evil men in the world who want to accomplish evil deeds; how will they accomplish their greatest successes? Applying this principle of the power of darkness, we understand that the evil will find their greatest success by keeping others in the dark about what they are truly seeking. For example, a false teacher wears "sheep's clothing" (Matt. 7:15) not because they fancy wearing wool suits, but because they want others to be in the dark about who they really are -wolves! Men who have evil intentions will tell us they are interested in truth and will even go to great lengths to get us to believe it is so, but when the light of Truth shines upon them, oh how they rage and protest! They have been exposed!

     Jesus Himself said, "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed" (John 3:20). He went on to say, "But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God" (v. 21). When evil men are exposed by the light of God's Word, they become highly agitated and will lash out at the one who has shone the light upon them because they no longer have the power of darkness! Do we understand now why the religious leaders were so interested in getting rid of Jesus? They had been exposed! The hatred that the religious leaders had toward Jesus is the same hatred the world will have toward His disciples today because, they, too, will speak as Jesus and "testify about it that its works are evil" (John 7:7).

     Darkness Gives False Comfort To The Evil Ones. Though the wicked revel in their wickedness and believe they have escaped the eye of man when they practice their deeds in darkness [either literally or figuratively], they cannot escape the eye of God. The psalmist recognized that he could not hide in literal darkness because, as he wrote, "even the darkness is not dark to You; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with You" (Psa. 139:12). And Elihu correctly said, "There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves" (Job 34:22). If man truly realized this, there would be far less evil practiced in the world.

     But let us also realize that there is no evil deed which escapes the eye of God - even evil thoughts! Daniel reminds us, "He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him" (Dan. 2:22). The writer of Hebrews also said, "And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (Heb. 4:13). Even our motives will be considered in Judgment (1 Cor. 4:5)!

   Darkness cannot hide you from God; walk in the light (1 John 1:6-7).                                    -- Steven Harper




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