Light in the Darkness
Opening Prayer
God, give me a deeper understanding of my responsibility to reveal Your kingdom.
Read Luke 8:16-21
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[16] “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. [17] For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. [18] Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.” [19] Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. [20] Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” [21] He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who does Jesus consider to be family?The kingdom perspective which Jesus is teaching in today’s reading is not easy to grasp. The Matthew 5:15,16 version of Jesus’ words (16) help to reveal the meaning. Those of us who are already part of Jesus’ kingdom have a responsibility to let our lives shine in this dark world, so that others can see Christ and gain access to the kingdom of heaven through him. Jesus points forward to the coming heavenly kingdom (17) when our deeds will be revealed (2 Corinthians 5:10). The challenge for us today is to flesh out God’s Word so that people see what the kingdom of God is like. Jesus highlights the sharp contrast between those who are part of God’s kingdom and those who are not (18). He uses shock tactics to illustrate what it means to be part of God’s family (21). The point Jesus is making is that we can all be part of God’s family if we put God’s Word into practice in our lives.
Apply
Use Isaiah 61:10 to prompt praise to God who “has clothed me with garments of salvation.”
Closing prayer
Lord, teach me to listen with a responsive heart and a readiness to do what You say.
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