February 9, 2020 Text: Matthew 5:13-20
Dear Friends in Christ,
What color of light to do you like? We have some orange and blue lights in our basement. I love to sit there with just them on. What kind of white light do you like? Do you like soft white or bright white? Do you prefer fluorescent or incandescent? Some LED’s look blue. Some lights can’t even be made any more.
Aren’t we thankful that our Lord doesn’t run an efficiency test on us? “You are the light of the world.” Have you shined lately compared to the energy God is investing in you? That may take you aback a little bit but today’s lesson is good news because as always it is about Him – Jesus, and not us. It is our Lord that allows us to be about . . .
“LIGHT LIVING”
One of God’s first commands when creating our world was, “Let there be light.” The sun and moon are still doing their jobs, but there is something they can’t do. When people are going the wrong way we say we hope they see the light. Only God can provide a way out of the darkness.
If a room is dark we can flip a switch or open the shades or light a candle or carry a flashlight. To pierce the darkness of sin and unbelief there is only one solution. God turning on the light so that we trust in Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world.
Jesus changes us. In baptism, we are taken out of the kingdom of darkness. Ephesians 5:8 says, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are the light of the world. Walk as children of light.”
Sin loves darkness. Why do so many cities use light to cut down on crime? The light can keep some bad behavior from happening. Jesus had a different plan to drive our darkness. The world did not receive Jesus. The powers of darkness in the world were working to snuff out Jesus. By Good Friday, it looked like they had succeeded. His lifeless body was laid in a cold, dark tomb. There were no windows in that tomb. But in the bright light of Easter, Jesus threw open the door of grave and death. He has opened wide the doors and windows to our graves as well. He promises that we will live even though we die. Our dwelling place will be in the light of His heaven forever.
Forever may still be a ways off for many of us. Light living means living now in the light of Jesus. Light living means living out what we really are: forgiven children of God. Our lives are designed to have a tremendous impact on the world.
As followers of Jesus we do not just believe differently, we live differently. “You are the light of the world” is both a blessing and a responsibility. It is easy to complain about the world and indulge in hand-wringing about where we are as a society. Jesus could have done that during His time. What He did is that one by one He brought people out of the darkness into the light. Not just the blind, but the palsied and the sinful and the misguided and those who wanted Him destroyed. He was that light that they could relate to and He changed lives. His love and grace and mercy and resurrection shone a great light on the darkness of the world.
We are the Lord’s instruments. We have light to give to others because of what Christ has given us. We talked about this text in my Pastor’s conference this week and one thing we noted is that it doesn’t matter how bright the light it can still make a difference. We don’t have brilliant insights or miraculous powers but changing our baby’s diaper shines light. Helping a neighbor shovel a driveway shines light. Bringing our children to church and having devotions with them shines light. Holding your temper shines light. Showing calm in the midst of turmoil shines light. Forgiving a sister or brother shines light. Not yelling when we spill something in the kitchen shines light. Not blaming others or excusing our behavior shines light.
The light of Christ shines in the life of the ordinary Christian. The Spirit of God is moving us, and Christ is dwelling in us. We can be extraordinary husbands and wives and parents, remarkable neighbors and employees, powerful citizens and friends. Living light can be you and me.
Light bulbs come in all different kinds, and Christians do, too, but whatever your shape or color, because of Jesus, you are the light of the world and will dwell in eternal light.
May someone this week, or this day, see the light of Jesus in your Light Living and give thanks to God.
Amen.