Matthew 5:14-16 - Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
This devotion pairs with this weekend's Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lutheranhour.org.
Great movements are like sunrises. They first cast their brightness just on the tips of a few mountain peaks, and then they cascade on the tallest steeples, then they light up the whole valley, then the whole village, and then the whole world. Christianity is just that sort of movement, and if there ever was a time this dismal world needed a light to shine, it is now. God has a new ray of light ready to shine into your life with a new day from on high.
His name is Jesus, the Dayspring. The Creed calls Him the God of God and the Light of Light who takes, outcasts and makes them a chosen race, who takes those stuck at the bottom of life's barrel and makes them a royal priesthood, who takes the unwanted, the unemployed, the unsuccessful, the unhappy, and makes them a holy nation, a people who finally belong. Once, we were not a people, now it is our time to shine as we live out God's more excellent way. We, by the power of the Holy Spirit, are the light of the world because we reflect the true light, Jesus.
You might be in a dark and difficult winter this year, but God is the Light who changes things, and God has a Word for your heart from John 8. "Again, Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" Would you like to have power like that? You do. It's found in God's Word. It's found in Jesus. That's why we give candles to the newly baptized because as we remember our Baptisms, we can let our lights shine, we can make a difference in this world, we can be a movement that brings the light.
Sister, brother, friend, it's our time to shine together. No matter who you are, let your light shine with the light of Christ.
WE PRAY: You, O Lord, are the Light of the world, the light that shines in our valleys of death and darkness. Shine on us with Your saving grace and peace so that we can illuminate the world. In Your Name. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. John Nunes.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever been truly lost in the dark? Where were you and how did you find your way out?
2. Can you give some examples from the Bible how Jesus was a helpful light for others?
3. How can our Christian love and witness be a light for someone else?
Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 41-42 Matthew 22:1-22
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