For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," 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. 2 Corinthians 4:6
Years ago after completing high school, a Christian girl got her first job. The first day of work showed her she was hardly ready to deal with the lurid language, ungentle jokes, and cruel comments that shocked her. Shaken, she told her parents she wasn’t going back. Before she had finished sharing her lament her father interrupted and asked, “Honey, where do you put a light?"
She continued telling them about the stuff she had suffered, but Dad again asked, "Where do you put a light?" Exasperated, she replied, "Dad, what does that have to do with what I’m saying? You put light where it’s dark." "Good," said her dad and continued, “As a Christian you are to reflect the light of Jesus into a dark place. Go to work tomorrow and let His light be reflected to those folks in the darkness so they can see Jesus.”
Jesus was born into a world that loved and preferred the darkness. When the Christ confronted humanity with God's call to repentance, forgiveness, and hope, His world, like ours, didn't want what He was offering. The truth is, evil never likes to be exposed. Those around the Savior very clearly said, "If it's all the same to You, Jesus, we’ll remain living in the darkness." So intense was their hatred toward Jesus, they ended up nailing Him to a cross. With great confidence that the darkness had once again descended, they placed a stone and a guard before His grave. But death and darkness didn’t have the final say. Jesus' sacrifice for us was accepted, and on the third day He rose from the dead.
Because Jesus lives, His people no longer languish in the black prison of sin. Because Christ has risen, His light shines into the hearts of those who once were filled with darkness. In joy they say with Saint Paul, “The same God who brought light into the world at the time of creation, is now making His light shine in the hearts of humanity.” Christians who live in the light of the Lord are, like the young lady of our story, able to reflect Christ’s radiance with those who still are stumbling in the darkness of sin, death, and Satan. If you are among the stumblers please join us in the Light. It is ever so much better and brighter than where you are now.
Excerpt from The Lutheran Hour sermon preached on February 22, 2004
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let Your light shine in my heart. Help me reflect Christ’s radiance for those who still are stumbling in the darkness of sin, death, and Satan. Thank you for rescuing me from the black prison of sin. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 2-4 John 19:23-42
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