Darkness Will Always Seek to Get Rid of the Light
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | April 11 2025 | Luke 22:1-6
KEY VERSE: ”Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.” Luke 22:1-2 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Throughout history, light and darkness have been at war. From the Garden of Eden to Calvary’s hill, the enemy of righteousness has never rested in his attempts to extinguish the light of God’s presence and truth. In Luke 22:1-2, we see religious leaders plotting against the Lord Jesus Christ - the true Light of the world. They were driven not by faith, but by fear, pride, and darkness of heart. This Lenten season calls us to confront the shadows in and around us with the unshakable power of the light of Jesus Christ. The key verse highlights two important truths: 1. Light exposes what darkness wants to hide, and 2. Fear and pride fuel the rejection of the light.
The religious leaders wanted to eliminate Jesus because His presence exposed their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Wherever Jesus shines, truth surfaces. Darkness is deceptive. It whispers that secrets are safe in the shadows, but the light of Jesus Christ interrupts that illusion with truth, not to shame, but to redeem. The Light challenges the status quo and demands transformation, something darkness fiercely resists.
The text says they were “afraid of the people.” Fear of losing influence and control made them oppose the Savior they claimed to be waiting for. The fear of man can blind us to the truth and cause us to oppose God’s work. Fear of man blinds people from walking into truth. Pride says, “I’m fine on my own”, and refuses to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ because that means acknowledging need, weakness, and sin. Both fear and pride are spiritual chains. They keep people in darkness, even when the light is right before them.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Are you resisting the truth that God’s light is revealing in your life? Don’t let fear of what others think or pride in what you can do keep you from the freedom Jesus offers. Step out of the shadows into the light of His truth, and He will not only expose but heal, restore, and give you new life.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, You are the true Light that shines in the darkness. During this Lenten journey, help me confront any darkness within me, be it fear, pride, or hidden sin. Teach me to walk in Your light with boldness and humility. May Your light shine through me so others may see Your truth and grace. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 101: Deuteronomy 29-30 - The Covenant Renewal and Call to Choose Life
DAILY word study: GET RID The Greek phrase translated as “get rid of” in Luke 22:2 comes from the verb ἀναιρέω (anaireō), which means to take away, destroy, or kill. It combines ana (up, again) and airō (to lift or take away), but when used in certain contexts, particularly judicial or hostile, it implies removal by execution.
In the passage, “get rid of” isn’t about avoidance or distance—it’s a direct reference to their desire to eliminate Jesus permanently. The same word is used in Acts 7:28 (“Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?”) and Acts 12:2 to describe Herod putting James to death.
This highlights the extent of resistance to divine truth theologically. When light challenges darkness, the response of hardened hearts may escalate from resistance to aggression. Jesus, the Light, wasn’t merely disliked—He was a threat to the systems of pride and control, and so they sought His removal.
Reflection:
Spiritual darkness doesn’t always reject Jesus openly; it tries to push Him out quietly. Lent invites us to examine where in our lives we are subtly resisting or silencing the voice of Jesus. Are there places in our thoughts or habits where we want Him near, but not too confronting
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