For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness …
Summary: Paul shows us the value of the gospel and the danger of ignoring it.
I have so many thoughts on this passage that I hardly know where to begin.
Perhaps the best place to start is with Luke’s account of sowing seeds (Luke 8:4-15). There are different ways of understanding this parable. Jesus himself explains the parable (Matthew 13:18-23), so we will go with his explanation.
Jesus describes the Gospel as the “message about the kingdom.” He equates this message with “seed.” A seed, of course, is something that carries new life. The tragedy of the story is that there are examples of the seed taking root but not coming to fruition (Matthew 13:19-22).
When Paul writes that Jesus has “rescued us from the dominion of darkness,” it is reasonable to wonder who the “us” refers to. Who did Jesus rescue?
Looking at the parable in Luke and Matthew, Jesus does not rescue the people on the path. Neither does he rescue the people who are represented by the rocky ground or those who live among thorns. In each case, the “message about the kingdom” is taken away, doesn’t take root, or is choked out by thorns.
There is only one group of people who are rescued. When the gospel message about the kingdom falls on good soil, it takes root. Jesus says those who “hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (Matthew 13:15).
Does this mean that the others who heard the word but did not retain it are condemned? No. Absolutely not! God continues to reach out to people throughout their lives. There is an unlimited supply of “seed.” Yet, we still have to hear the word and respond to it.
For those who have heard the word, something amazing happens.
The “dominion of darkness” is a nice way of saying that a person is under the rule of Satan. His goal is to keep God’s creation from acknowledging the Creator. It is Satan who takes away the seed on the path, who makes it so that the seed can’t grow on the rocks, and who raises up thorns to choke the gospel out where it has started to take root.
Jesus frees us from Satan’s grasp. Thank you, Jesus!
Application: Listen to the Word of God constantly.
Food for Thought: What is it like to live a life free from the dominion of darkness?
As I read the devotion and question this morning and thought about the “good soil” and the “domain of darkness.” In Matthew 6, Jesus spoke of the eye being the lamp of the body, and the difference that comes with a healthy eye, and a bad eye. I think that is very literal and a very good metaphor for the condition of our heart. If we seek the light (good soil), we will find the light (Christ), and the seeds will grow. If we seek the dark, we will remain in the dark. The dark will overtake us.
Matthew 6:22-23 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Living a life free from the dominion of darkness means walking in the light. Walking in truth. When we are able to walk in truth, we are set free from lies. Lies foster destruction and death. Walking in truth means we are able to understand God’s will for our lives, and measure His love against all other things. We are free to choose His will, and the abundant life that comes from obeying Him.
John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Living a life free from the dominion of darkness means we have hope and purpose. We are no longer slaves to sin, but servants of the one who defeated death and sin.
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Living a life free from the dominion of darkness means we have the peace that comes with knowing the Creator of the Universe knows us, knows our hearts, hears our prayers, and calls us His child.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Thank you, Chris!
Exceptionally well written comment today. “Walking in the light,” “hope and purpose,” and “peace” are all true aspects of freedom!
Thank you CH. Great thoughts as always.
Have you ever seen a picture of the Korean Peninsula at night? It is easy to see on the internet. The difference between the North and South is astounding. Anyone in the dark would want to live in the light if they simply knew there was something so much better than what they were experiencing. To be freed from the darkness is to cross the border to another kingdom. Those who do know the difference and it changes everything.
Great illustration, Rich!
Thank you!