The light tolerates not the darkness, for in its fullness, there is no room for shadow. Yet in this life, the light allows the presence of darkness, that its brightness might be seen more clearly in contrast by men. If the hearts of men were but pure, there would be no cause for shadow—a place where we hide from the perfect light and glory of God, brought forth by our own sin and shame, as Adam and Eve once did when they hid themselves in the garden.
For what was once perfectly illuminated by God’s presence in the beginning fell into darkness through the turning of Adam and Eve’s hearts inward. When they sought to raise themselves to a place they could never truly attain—the first lie of the serpent—they found themselves cast down, banished from the perfect light they once enjoyed without second thought. No longer did God walk freely with them as a father with his children. Instead, having been cast out of the garden, they now bore the weight of separation. And so it came to pass that the face of God was hidden from them, revealed only to those who sought Him with earnest and longing hearts. Moses, in the desert, beheld Him in the burning bush and glimpsed His glory passing from behind.
Yet God, in His infinite mercy, did not hide His face forever from the history of men. After leading His chosen people, Israel, to the Promised Land, He revealed Himself again—not in fleeting glimpses, but in the fullness of time, in the person of His only Son. The Light entered the world, and the world could never be the same. The standard was set; the goodness and love of God were made manifest for all to see. On the Cross, His love was poured out, and through the Resurrection, the victory over sin and death was won for all who would abide in His love.
