JOHN 3:16–21
Plato, a Greek philosopher, narrated a story about a shepherd who accidentally discovered a golden ring hidden deep in the earth. The ring, which allowed him to become invisible, was discovered due to an earthquake. Plato questioned whether people would resist wrongdoing if they did not have to worry about punishment and being caught.
This concept is taken in a different direction by Jesus in the gospel of John. The Good Shepherd, Jesus, identifies hearts that remain in the darkness in order to conceal their actions there (John 3:19–20). Not to condemn us but to give us salvation through Him, He is drawing attention to our desire for cover-up (v. 17). God’s love for us is demonstrated by the Shepherd of our hearts, who exposes the darkest aspects of human nature (v. 16).
In His mercy, God extends an invitation to follow Him in the light and calls us out of the darkness.
🙏Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the light of your presence in our lives. May we walk obediently in the light of your truth in all that we do.
📷: Roman Derrick Okello
