Living as Light

Introduction

There is something about a challenge that has the potential to bring out the best and the worst in us. Some live for challenges. Some create challenges just for the sheer enjoyment. But for most of us challenges are those things that come and when they do we panic just a bit. Uncertainty, discomfort, lostness — all accompany a challenge. Most of us would prefer few challenges and those that do come would be easy. But then if there were no challenges there would be no great illustrations of success. We like those stories of those who overcame overwhelming odds in order to succeed. Such stories inspire us but we would rather return to a life that is uncomplicated.

We need predictability. Routine and predictability allow us to gain strength for the challenges which will inevitably come. Unfortunately, when we begin to demand predictability; when we believe that comfort is our God-given right, then when challenges come we lose sight of what our purpose is. We are here on this earth for a number of reasons but the most important reason is to bring glory to the God who created us and adopted us as his children. Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Challenges are a part of our world. We live in a world that is imperfect and an imperfect world means that uncertainty will happen; challenges will come; disruption will occur. But we follow the one who has not only overcome but who wants to give us peace about the challenges. These words of Jesus were said on the night of his betrayal. He knew what was coming. His life already filled with challenges was to become the most challenging experience he had ever gone through. But his discomfort brought us victory. So today we celebrate the victory. We celebrate that there is one who walks with us through our challenges and one who has already demonstrated that his power is greater than any challenge we will face. Let’s celebrate Jesus.

For Joy

Light and darkness are set as opposites. In many cases darkness is symbolic of evil and light is symbolic of good. Such is the case here in Matthew 5. Light is good. Light illuminates so that others may benefit. Jesus uses a common illustration of his day — bringing light to a house. In those days houses were primarily one room. A single light would help all in the house see. No one would imagine lighting a lamp (a clay bowl with a spout which would hold a wick and the bowl would be filled with oil) and placing that lamp under some object to hide the light. A lamp is lit so that all in the house may benefit. In the same way, as followers of Jesus we are light. Our lives are intended to benefit others and to bring praise to God.

But do not read this text as if it were a simple thing. We are light. Be light. Do good things. Bring praise to God. Sounds simple but it isn’t. Being light is difficult. How do I know that? Because darkness is the common condition of our world. From the beginning, darkness was over the face of the earth and God created light to force darkness away. Darkness is the norm. John tells us in his gospel 3:19, “this is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle as followers of Jesus is against the powers of this dark world. Darkness is the common condition of our world. Challenges always exist. As followers of Jesus we bring light to a dark world; we show the beauty of the light. Most will not follow Jesus with us. Most will remain in the darkness and the result is they will hate the light just as they hated Jesus. Challenges will come.

We are at war! We live as light and darkness hates us. This is what Jesus said in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” Even Jesus told us how difficult things would be in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This would have been compelling and dangerous language. Take up a cross. The cross was a symbol of torture and hatred. So hideous was the cross that Rome would not allow their own citizens to be killed this way. This form of execution was reserved for those who really deserved it — the weak, the criminals, the least; it was punishment for the sub-human.

And Jesus says his followers will take up their cross to follow. No promise of comfort; no absence of challenges. Every day was the same — take the cross and follow. It was the symbol of shame, disgust, and scorn. It was the sign of certain death. It was the sign that your life no longer belonged to you. Someone else had control of your life. Someone would take you, throw you against a beam of wood and nail your hands so that you were fully and completely exposed. Your body would hang on that tree until the birds ate your eyes; abandoned by all that was dignity. This is what our Jesus did and this is what he calls us to do — not literally but figuratively. Our lives no longer are ours. Our lives belong to the God who calls us to follow. As Paul says in Galatians 2:20 — I have been crucified; I no longer live. Christ lives in me.

War

We are at war. We are at war within ourselves as we struggle to join with Jesus in his work in this world. We are at war with the darkness. By now some of you may be thinking, this is not very encouraging. I’m not sure I want this. I want a life of ease, comfort, with minor challenges. I want a hangnail not a cross. Let’s look at one more text. Hebrews 12:2, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus calls us to follow him. If we do the world will hate us; there will be a cross, but there will also be joy. Joy comes from God. Joy comes from living life with purpose. Jesus endured the cross because of his joy. He knew what his life was about and he faced every challenge for joy.

Jesus gives us this same joy. In John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” In 16:20 just a few verses before his assurance of victory, Jesus said, “You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy.” Even as he prayed one of his last prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane he prayed “I say these things so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” Jesus wants us to have his joy and he has done all to bring about that joy.

For the joy that is before us we endure. We face challenges because of our joy. If the world is going astray and decaying, Christians are the answer. When it is darkest is when the light is most needed and significant. Engage. Meet the challenge. Endure. Pick up your cross. Your purpose in this life is to bring praise and honor to God. Every challenge allows your light to shine; your joy to be confirmed; your cross to be carried and for victory to be yours. We are at war. We need followers of Jesus who will not allow their fear to stop them; we need followers who will accept the cross; we need followers who will every day go to war with the full and complete joy of Jesus.

Follow Jesus

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