Lenten Devotional, Day 25: Let there be Light, and there was Light!

Dear Saints,

The Saturday Verses are Psalm 23, 1 Samuel 15:32–34, John 1:1–9.

LET THERE BE LIGHT:

Once you know Biblical parallelism you'll see it everywhere, yes everywhere (parallelism intended ;).  Don't shut down, please.  God uses parallelism by design (So do I; I guess it kinda explains my odd writing style).

I sometimes call parallelism: God's exclamation point.  Often His Word will say something twice (even 3x) the same way or slightly different ways to reinforce or double-down on a point (e.g. John 3:3, 5; Proverbs 16:18, 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 23:37; there are countless).

But there are variations too.  Sometimes the two things are starkly contrasted to create a chasm and give a "visual" warning (e.g. Isaiah 40:30–31; Psalm 1:3–4, 37:35–36; Psalm 1:3–4; Romans 11:22; Matthew 10:16; there are countless).

And sometimes they are disconnect but definitely there (e.g. Ephesian 4:3, 13/two unities; Jude 1: 21, 24/two keepings; Philippians 2:12–13/two works; Ephesians 2:8–10/ again two works; 1 John 4:8, 16 & Hebrews 12:29/two passions; John 3:5/two births; there are countless).

For example, as to two passions: God is "love" (1 John 4:8, 16) is a "consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29).  How can that be?  How can that be?  To those that ask that it seems like the perfect foil or gotcha.  Hmm?  The same passion with two dimensions makes for a Refiner's fire.  It purifies silver and burns off the dross.  Amazing!

Here is another illustration: A depraved harmer breaks into a house.  The family is home.  Dad goes to check it out.  Mom goes to the kids.  There she finds the harmer.  He threatens and lashes out wildly; hence she has no choice but to stop the threat.  Now let me ask: Was mom acting out of "love" or as a "consuming fire?"  One passion with two manifestations.  We need to learn how to reconcile Biblical paradox, i.e. seeming contradictions.

Indeed, parallelisms are fascinating, especially the last type.  Look up a few.  Moreover, without understanding these we end up in a ditch, whether right or left doesn't matter, as both represent damage and perhaps death.

Finally, sometimes there are epic-level parallelisms.  We'll now compare & contrast two types of creation, one could say two kinds of light.  (This tract came from today's reading in John).

So there is a principle: "But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual." (1 Corinthians 15:46).

Natural creation and light: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness." (Genesis 1:1–4).

Note: This begins the Old Testament.  Note: The sun was not until day four.  The Son not sun is the "first principle" of light.

Spiritual creation and light: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:1–5).

Note: The striking parallels.  Note: This begins the New Testament.  Note: The Word is light; the word is lamp?

But the main point is that natural creation alludes to spiritual creation, yea salvation.  Here is the linchpin: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of 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).

This may be my favorite Verse in all the Bible.  The implications cannot be exhausted.  Every aspect of salvation works like this: justification (2 Corinthians 4:6), sanctification (2 Corinthians 3:18), and glorification (1 John 3:2).

Methodist Charles Wesley was likewise fascinated:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free;

I rose, went forth and followed Thee!

Jesus as You did the first day naturally, say again spiritually: "Let there be light, and there [will be] light!"

The Only Best in/is Christ,

tIM