By Nayaswami Hriman McGilloway
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ spoke often in stories (parables) and used symbolic language for the benefit of those who as he put it repeatedly, have “ears to hear.” Thus he did not make plain his meaning, especially in regards to subtler realities, such as the use of the term “light.” Nonetheless, the concept of light is used repeatedly as a symbol for spiritual understanding and consciousness. Moreover, Jesus is depicted as being that “Light” that is the source of creation and all life.
“No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”