Light at the Judgment
Read: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. (v. 5) Paul was guilty of murder. I have been divorced. Paul was angry enough to track people down, shoving […]
The Armor of Light
Read: Romans 13:5-14 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (v. 12) Saul of Tarsus is transformed. No more blinded by rage against Jesus and his followers; no more blinded by ambition, or jealousy, or […]
Suddenly a Light from Heaven
Read: Acts 9:1-20 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. (v. 3) Saul went on his way. His way was to power up with his fine legal mind, approach Damascus, and do a lot of damage to “the Way,” as the early Christian […]
Darkness Has Not Overcome
Read: John 1:1-5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (v. 5) We hear so much about spiritual darkness today, and we who love the light can feel a sense of overwhelm or even panic as we look around and see things we cherish challenged, mocked, and overturned, while […]
Shrewd Children of Light?
Read: Luke 16:1-15 The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. (v. 8 NIV) It’s always bothered me a bit that Jesus told us to be wise as serpents (Matthew […]
Light for Revelation
Read: Luke 2:25-35 My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. (vv. 30-32) Simeon, who spoke these words over the infant Jesus, was a very spiritual man. Luke called him “righteous,” and “devout,” […]
Secrets Come to Light
Read: Mark 4:21-25 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. (v. 22) We live in an age of incredible scientific discovery. While quantum physics describes nature at the smallest scales of energy, and molecular biology pulls apart DNA, both sciences unraveling mysteries of light […]
How Great the Darkness
Read: Matthew 6:22-23 If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! (v. 23) Jesus speaks about the absurdity of lighting a lamp then covering it up; a few moments later he takes his metaphor “out of the basket.” His listeners are invited from visual imagination to visceral reality. Jesus is […]
The Light in You
Read: Matthew 5:13-16 Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God. (v. 16 MSG) Jesus tells a crowd at the temple, “I am the light of the world” (John […]