Belonging to and Being the Light of Jesus
Why does the church exist and what has it to do with me?
How we view something or somebody will have a massive effect on our experience with that person or situation. With church it is exactly the same thing. Let us consider two scriptures that seem on the face of it to contradict each other.
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
Mathew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven
Do they contradict each other? No, Jesus does not make mistakes! The answer is that they both apply! And that is what we call church, it is about being and belonging.
1/ Belonging. We are all searching for something in life. Following Jesus and being in his community makes life better, because we all need something, and Jesus says that he is the one that can fulfil our deepest needs. He is the light.
Even in your darkest hour……
What darkness are you experiencing that you need to exchange with the light that Jesus has to offer?
2/ Being. “You are the light of the world” This is where you see what you have heard about on Sunday, become a reality in your life on Monday. We are the light because we belong to Jesus.
“Let your light shine” We already have the light, you need to be that life in someone else’s life! How has Jesus been a light in your life? Be the same light to someone else.
Going to church will fill with you with light, being THE church will fill the world with light. God has called you to both. Where do you need to experience the light? And where do you need to shine the light?
This week let us look for ways to shine the light of Jesus.
Written by Ian Jannaway