Light is fascinating and mysterious. It travels at incredible speed, yet still takes about eight minutes to reach us from the Sun. It can be understood as a particle, yet also behaves as a wave. But enough of the science lesson. Light profoundly affects our mood and has been a powerful metaphor throughout the ages in all human cultures.

In the poetic opening of the Bible, God said, “Let light shine out of darkness.” In the New Testament, light represents the new creation or new birth as the darkness of sin is dispelled by the light of Jesus, as he brings the light of the knowledge of God’s glory into the human heart.

This brings us neatly to one of this Sunday’s Bible readings in the Church of England’s Lectionary. In 2 Corinthians 4:3–6, the Apostle Paul offers profound insights into the nature of the Christian life, particularly concerning the transformative power of the Gospel message and the spiritual dynamics at play in the hearts of believers and unbelievers alike.

Paul begins by acknowledging the veiled nature of the Gospel message to those who are perishing. He describes how the minds of unbelievers are blinded by the god of this world, referring to Satan or the forces of evil that work to obscure the truth of the Gospel. This spiritual blindness prevents them from recognising the glory of Christ, which shines forth in the Gospel message. Despite the clarity and universality of the Gospel’s offer of salvation, those who remain in unbelief are unable to grasp its significance due to the spiritual blindness that envelops them.

Paul then elaborates on the spiritual battle between light and darkness that is inherent in the proclamation of the Gospel. He asserts that the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, thereby obstructing their ability to perceive the light of the Gospel. This blindness is not merely a physical incapacity but a spiritual impediment that stems from the pervasive influence of sin and spiritual forces opposed to God’s truth. As a result, unbelievers remain ensnared in darkness, unable to comprehend the beauty and significance of the Gospel message that offers freedom and reconciliation with God.

In contrast to the spiritual blindness of unbelievers, Paul highlights the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and the work of spreading the Gospel. He affirms that it is not about preaching oneself but about proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and oneself as a servant for Jesus’ sake. This underscores the humility and selflessness required in sharing the Gospel, focusing not on personal glory but on magnifying the name of Christ. Believers are called to participate in the ongoing mission of making Christ known to the world, recognising that their role is one of service and stewardship in advancing the Kingdom of God.

Paul further emphasises the transformative power of God’s light in the darkness of human hearts. He draws upon the imagery of the creation narrative from Genesis, where God spoke light into existence out of darkness. Similarly, God shines his light into the hearts of believers, illuminating the knowledge of his glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ. This divine illumination awakens spiritual understanding and leads to the recognition of Christ as the embodiment of God’s glory and grace. Through the Gospel message, God initiates a process of renewal and transformation in the lives of believers, dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance and replacing it with the radiant light of his truth and love.

On this last Sunday before Lent, 2 Corinthians 4:3–6 offers a compelling portrayal of the Christian life as one marked by the transformative power of the Gospel, the spiritual battle against darkness, and the call to humble service and proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord. It reminds us of the urgency and importance of our role in sharing the Good News with others, trusting in the illuminating work of God’s Spirit to bring about transformation and renewal in the hearts and minds of those who are lost in darkness.

May the light of Jesus in our hearts shine through our lives into (what often seems like) an increasingly dark world.