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Devotional for Wednesday, March 10, 2010 |
“You are the Light of the World” Matthew 5:14 Jesus spoke in a way that the Jews would understand. Using “light” in a religious context had deep meaning because Israel believed Jerusalem was a “light to the Gentiles.” (Isaiah 49:6) Long before a traveler reached the Holy City, he would see the massive temple situated majestically on top of Mount Zion, a beacon of Judaism to everyone of every race and religion. Jesus often used something familiar to teach the disciples a new truth. Later, in Romans chapter 2, the Apostle Paul argued that Israel was no longer the light for the blind as they once were, because they could not follow their own law. They were once the light, but not anymore; their light had been snuffed out because they broke the very laws which they taught. During the New Testament days, it was a challenging task to keep a candle lit in the household. Every precaution was taken to assure that at least one light was kept burning all the time. But families still faced the possibility that the light could be extinguished accidentally, and when that happened they would usually borrow a light from a neighbor. In like manner, the “LIGHT” of Jerusalem was a borrowed light; it belonged to Jehovah. And when Jesus taught the disciples that “You are the light of the world,” it was a borrowed light, for Jesus also said, “While I am in the world I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). If the world depended solely upon my meager light as a moral compass, people would never experience the Shekinah Glory of God! The Pharisees never got it and a lot of Christians miss the point, too. It is NOT my light…I am only a custodian of THE TRUE LIGHT, just as you are, and only through HIM are we able to be the light of the world. If my light is shining correctly, people will not praise me, they will praise my Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). Should my light grow dim, and sometimes it may, I will borrow more of His light from YOU to get me going in the right direction once again, because you are the light of the world. For God “…made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (II Cor. 4:6) The greatest mistake we can make is to believe that His Light makes us something we are not. During a conference where D. L. Moody was present, there was also a group of devoted, well-intentioned young people who decided to conduct an all night prayer vigil. Moody saw them early the next morning and asked what they had been doing. After explaining their prayer meeting they said: “Mr. Moody, see how our faces shine!” To which he responded, “Moses was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.” Spending quality time with God does not give us bragging rights to the Light of the World. When it is done right it won’t be necessary to tell someone we are different… they will know it. GospeLines Prayer: Father, when I was a child I sang, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” Now that I am an adult, I see more clearly…it never was my light at all. Thank you for letting me become a receptacle for Your glorious presence in this world! Amen and amen. Tommy Harrison |
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