LIGHTS NEEDED

LIGHTS NEEDED

 One cold day in December, a Christian gentleman was walking down a Chicago street. He noticed that someone had thrown a handful of bird seed on the ground to nourish the sparrows who were now experiencing the cruel cold of winter.  Dozens and dozens of sparrows had come (seemingly out of nowhere) to enjoy their unexpected feast.  

 This man edged closer to enjoy the satisfying sight of God’s creatures being fed.  But as he approached, the birds became anxious.  Another step forward, and they prepared to flee.  Two more steps, and they all flew away, leaving their winter banquet behind.

 The man stopped and considered what had happened.  Why had the sparrows scattered when he had no evil intentions toward them?  Then it dawned on him.  It was not his intentions, but his bodily presence that had so frightened them.  He was so big in comparison to the tiny sparrows, and the only way he could have walked among those birds without scaring them would be to somehow assume their own characteristics.

 If only he could become a sparrow for a while, the man thought.  He could be so close and he would be able to communicate.

 Isn’t this a clear picture of THE INCARNATION?  God’s righteousness loomed so large and humankind’s sins and shortcomings caused us to seem so very small.  Nevertheless, “God SO loved the world” that He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, i.e. to become “Emmanuel,” God with us, and ultimately to endure our shame, our sin, our pain and our judgment. (John 3:16 – Matthew 1:23 – Romans 5:19)

We existed in absolute darkness until “the light of the world” drew near to us and forever redeemed us from the curse of sin and death. (John 8:12) The gospel writer, John, explains it this way: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

 Now, it is our turn; it is our task to BECOME THE LIGHT and to shine brightly in the darkness of this world system, especially into the lives of those persons whom God has positioned in close proximity to us. (Philippians 2:15 – Matthew 5:16)

 SHINE and reflect God’s glory.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!