“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ hath shined 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)
In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul refers to Christ as “the mystery of God” (Col. 2:2-3), implying that spiritual truths once concealed are now made manifest in Christ. Paul writes, “…that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:2-3).
It is a profound truth to know that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in Christ and yet graciously revealed to those whom God enlightens… as it is God who “commanded the light to shine out of darkness” and who also “hath shined in our hearts” (2 Cor. 4:6). God makes known His glory, not through visions or speculations, but “in the face of Jesus Christ.” The Lord Jesus is the perfect and visible representation of the invisible God. He is God’s wisdom, God’s righteousness, and God’s self-revelation.
Though we can never apprehend all of the infinite depths of God, we can, by His grace, know Him truly through Christ who is the radiance of His glory and the express image of His person (Hebrews 1:3). Christ’s sinless life fulfilled the Law; His death satisfied divine justice; His resurrection demonstrated divine power. And by the working of the Spirit, His saving truth continues to be revealed to sinners today.
This is how God’s mystery continues to unfold in the present age. The Holy Spirit, given by the ascended Christ, enlightens hearts to grasp the truth of Christ crucified and risen. What the apostles saw with their eyes, we receive in faith by the testimony of Scripture.
Lancelot Andrewes said, “So that as he prays for us himself, so he makes our prayers acceptable, and therefore he makes us Priests to God, to offer this spiritual sacrifice of prayer, and praises; and, as it was promised, to pour on us the spirit of grace and supplication, so it is performed by God’s sending the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, by which we cry, Abba Father; which Spirit helps our infirmities, and when we do not know how to pray, makes intercession for us with sighs and groans that cannot be expressed. So that we have no reason to doubt of the efficacy of our prayers with God, but to rest assured, that God is highly pleased with them, and is ready and willing to hear us, and to grant what we ask according to his will. In this way, we see, all is performed on Gods part.”[1]
He who commanded light at creation has also shined spiritual light into the darkness of our souls. Through Christ, God has made known His love, His power, His truth, and His holiness. And in the end, when we are brought into the presence of Christ, we shall see Him as He is and know as we are known. Until then, we rejoice that God has shone His light in our hearts through Christ.
Contemplations:
- The Treasures Hidden in Christ. I cannot grasp the full measure of the riches of divine wisdom and truth that are hidden in Christ, yet I know they are real and meant to strengthen my soul. That God would reveal any part of that to me is mercy. I must not neglect the Scriptures, for there I find the mystery explained and the Person of Christ declared. Lord, draw me deeper into Your truth.
- The Gospel Is Light. I was once in darkness, and I could not find the way out. But then You spoke light into my heart. The gospel became living truth to me, and I saw Christ as more than a teacher; I saw Him as my Savior. That light is not of my own making. It is Your doing, Lord. Keep that light burning and make it brighter, that I may never return to darkness or doubt.
- Mystery That Bids Worship. Some truths are too incomprehensible for my understanding. I cannot trace every line of doctrine or answer every question. But instead of frustration, I learn to bow in worship. You are God, and I am man. That You would reveal Yourself at all is mercy; that You would reveal Yourself in Christ is grace. Let this mystery draw me to awe, not arrogance… to adoration, not analysis.
- Christ Is the Image of God. When I see Christ in Scripture, I see You, Father, for He is the very image of Your glory. Through Him I know what love looks like, what holiness sounds like, what justice demands, and what mercy provides. You have not left me to wonder who You are like; You revealed Yourself plainly in Your Son. May I never take that for granted.
Prayer (Adoration):
O most holy and blessed God, we lift our hearts in reverence before You, the eternal Father who dwells in light unapproachable, yet has made Yourself known in the face of Jesus Christ. You are the God who speaks light into darkness, both in the beginning of creation and in the new creation of the soul. What once lay hidden in mystery, You have now revealed in Your Son, Christ Jesus, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We adore You for this divine mercy.
You have not left us groping in the dark, nor searching among idols, nor worshiping at the altar of ignorance. You have declared Yourself to us. You have shown us truth wrapped in flesh, wisdom clothed in humility, glory veiled in suffering, and righteousness shining through grace. Christ is Your mystery made manifest. He is the radiance of Your glory and the exact imprint of Your being.
Father, we adore You for sending Your Son. Son of God, we adore You for being willing to come. Spirit of God, we adore You for opening our eyes to see it. O Triune God, all praise is Yours alone. The mystery of redemption, incarnation, resurrection, and ascension… all of it testifies to Your greatness and goodness.
Who are we that You would shine in our hearts? Who are we that we should know the glory of God at all? We are but dust, and yet You have illumined us with eternal light. We are but fallen creatures, and yet You have given us the gospel of Your beloved Son.
We praise You for Your wisdom, which the world cannot understand. We praise You for Your sovereignty, which orders all things for Your glory. We praise You for Your mercy, which stoops to reveal what angels long to look into. We praise You for Your patience, that bears with us even when we are slow to grasp such wonders. And above all, we praise You for Christ—our Light, our Lord, our Life.
Make us ever more devoted to His name. Let every affection, thought, and desire be drawn to Him who is the treasure of all heaven. Fix our gaze upon the One who reveals You fully. Let us love what You have revealed and trust what remains hidden, until the day when faith becomes sight and mystery becomes glory.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for 2 Corinthians 4:6:
2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Peter 1:19; John 8:12, 9:39; Eph. 1:17; Heb. 1:3.
[1] Lancelot Andrewes, The Pattern of Catechistical Doctrine at Large, (London: Imprinted by Roger Norton, and are to be sold by George Badger .., 1650), 145.
