"You are the light of the world," Jesus said (Matthew 5:14). As we continue with our reflection on this verse, what is another reason we don't let our light shine? What is another reason we don't speak to people about Jesus? Aside from the fear of rejection(which we looked at Wednesday), a second common fear is that we don't know enough to answer questions. We are afraid that someone will ask us a question about Jesus or Christianity or Scripture, and we won't be able to give an answer. Does this happen? Just as with being rejected, of course it does. We don't know everything and the right answer doesn't always pop into our heads at just the right moment. However, our not knowing an answer gives us an opportunity to continue the conversation later. We can reply, "That's a good question. Let me think about that/look into that and get back to you." (Actually, my teachers in school would say, "That's a good question. Research the answer and get back to the class on that.") No doubt some people would remind me of Luke 21:12-15 wherein Jesus promises to give us the words to defend ourselves. In that passage he is speaking about a time of intense persecution where we are called upon to uphold the gospel in defense of our life. That is not describing the ordinary situation where we are speaking to a neighbor or friend. It is describing an extraordinary situation where our life is on the line. Jesus will supply all the words we need at that time. For reflection: Has my light been dimmed by fear? If I am afraid I don't know the answers, am I studying the Bible on a regular basis? Let us pray. Jesus, I want my light to shine. I want my life to reflect your glory. I want people to know that my life is different because of you. I give you my fear of rejection and my fear of not knowing enough. Is there someone to whom I can speak about you today? I'm volunteering. Send me.
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The image of light runs throughout the Scriptures - both Old and New Testaments. So let's stay with it for a little bit. Our text is Matthew 5:14-16. If we are the light of the world, and Jesus said we are, why do we hide our light? One reason is we fear being rejected. We are afraid that we will say something to someone about Jesus, or even Christianity in general, and they will reject what we say and thereby reject us. Does this happen? Of course it does. As Christians we come from a long line of people who have been rejected. The Old Testament prophets were rejected in their day even though they were Jews speaking to Jews. Moving to the New Testament, John the Baptist was rejected. Jesus was rejected. Peter and the other disciples were rejected. Rejection did not stop them from letting their light shine, from doing what God told them to do, and saying what God told them to say. Which takes us back to verse 11 of Matthew 5: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." To this we can add these verses from 1 John 4: "God is love. . . . There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." So being rejected sometimes should not be unexpected for us. Knowing that we will be rejected sometimes helps to take the fear out of it. It will come in the normal course of events. But we won't be rejected every time, and people really need to hear the message of Jesus from us. Let's not hide our light. For Reflection: What is greater in me - the love of God or the fear of rejection? Let us pray. God, you are perfect love. I give you my fear of rejection. I trust that even when I am rejected you will take care of me. Help me to let my light shine today. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16). Let us pray. Jesus, I always considered you the light of the world. But you said that we are the light of the world. I bought a ham recently that is salty, so right now I'm not feeling very positive toward anything salty. However, Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men" (Matthew 5:13). "The salt of the earth" has come to be an expression describing a good person, one who would do anything for you. Although that is an admirable trait, that is not what Jesus is describing. Jesus is describing someone who affects the entire world around them on behalf of the good news. A Christian is someone who spreads their seasoning through everything around them - their family, their friends, their neighbors, their world. We should be the ones to affect the world positively and bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. For reflection: Am I salty? Let us pray. Jesus, I want to make a difference in my world for your world. As we prepare, always inadequately, for Easter and the events preceding it, let us look this year at the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew's Gospel. We'll skip the most famous part - the Beatitudes - and begin with 5:11-12: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Many people read these verses and ignore the phrase "because of me." Jesus says that if we suffer on account of speaking about him, proclaiming the kingdom, or holding to our faith, then we are rewarded. He is not speaking of being rewarded for suffering in general - being sick, or your car breaking down, or someone yelling at you. That kind of suffering is not rewarded because it is a normal part of life. But suffering on behalf of the Gospel, the good news, is worthy of reward. This is the type of persecution suffered by the prophets. We recently looked at the call of Moses, Jeremiah and Isaiah. All suffered for carrying out the directives God gave them, as did the other Biblical prophets up to John the Baptist. For reflection: Even if I am not a prophet on the scale of Moses, Jeremiah or Isaiah, have I been open enough about the Gospel that I suffered for it? Let us pray. Here I am, Jesus. I do not seek suffering for the sake of suffering, but I seek the fullness of your kingdom on earth. I want to do my part to bring it about. |
AliceI started this website and blog on May 1, 2012. I am a Catholic who has been in ministry for many years. I first developed what I would call a close relationship with Jesus in the early 1970s. Ever since then I have been praying with people for healing and other needs. It is because I have seen so many of these prayers answered that I am so bold as to offer to pray for you individually through this website and phone line. Archives
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