The Light of the World (1853–54) is an allegorical painting by William Holman Hunt representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me”. According to Hunt: “I painted the picture with what I thought, unworthy though I was, to be by Divine command, and not simply as a good Subject.”[1] The door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the inside, representing “the obstinately shut mind”.[2] Hunt, 50 years after painting it, felt he had to explain the symbolism.[3]
“Let there be Light”
by Rev. Paul Lachlan Peck
(Genesis 1:1-5)
8,8,8,8
When God first said, “Let there be Light!”
Then there was Light upon the earth;
Forever free from darkened night,
Forever free from death and birth.
The perfect man in Oneness known
For purity of thought and aim;
For Him is Love and goodness shown,
For Him and brother man the same.
For Light is Universal Mind.
And shed o’er all the earth for use
In spreading Light to men in kind,
Or lose this Light through their abuse.
A certain energy and time and space
Is given each to share his Light;
We, in resolve, must take our place
In Spirit’s work with strength and might.
And when the darkened shadows loom,
Through nights of fear, sin, sickness, doubt,
We must disperse these shades of gloom,
And shed our Light of Love about.
For Love of Light brings a new day
Where once there were the shades of night;
For every claim of error say,
In strongest voice, “Let there be Light!”
Yes, say again, “Let there be Light!”
Re-light the candles of your soul;
Shrink not aback for lack of might:
The Light again has made you whole.
Henceforth, into the Light we come,
No more returns to darkened night;
In Love and Life, make heaven our home.
And on the earth, “Let there be Light!”
Rev. Paul Lachlan Peck
P.O. Box 2583
Capistrano Beach, CA 92624