You Are The Light

The news this week has been a buzz about what is being called the appearance of the “Christmas Star”.   The event is actually the alignment of Saturn and Venus which are at their closest point since the year 1226. It’s hard to believe that the last time this was visible in the night sky there were crusading kings from the west and sultans of Islam from the east fighting it out on the battlefields of the Holy Land. Their brutal struggle for control of the birthplace of Jesus would last for centuries.

The words of the prophet Isaiah come to mind whenever I think of the star that lit up the desert sky the night Jesus was born: “The people walking in the darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).

Of course, the light prophesied by Isaiah was Jesus Christ, who came into the world to lay down his life for us and become the light of salvation to a lost world.  Although, unlike a star which produces its own radiant light, the light cast from Saturn and Venus does not come from the planets themselves but from the reflection of the light from the Sun. It’s the same thing with the Moon. The light we see is an indirect reflection of the actual source of the light.

Jesus often used the imagery of light when speaking to his disciples about his plan of salvation for humanity.  In John 8:12 he says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He further goes on to tell his disciples that they are to be carriers or imagers of his light when he said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5: 14-16).

Jesus calls all of us to be conduits for his light by reflecting his very nature through our own lives. It may seem that as individuals our lights are small and insignificant. However, when all of us shine together, our tiny points of light become the bright light of the body of Christ. Just as the moon and the planets reflect the Sun of our solar system, so too are we to reflect the light of the Son and ruler of the universe. 

Another example of the light of Christ came to me while watching the Saints game this past weekend. On a couple of occasions, I’ve had the privilege to be on the field in the Superdome for pre-game warmups for a Saints game.  On one occasion, Thomas Morestead, the Saints punter, was on the field kicking punts to one of the trainers who was standing nearby. He dropped the ball in front of him and kicked it with the familiar thud sound of his foot hitting the ball. I looked up in an attempt to follow the ball as it rocketed straight up toward the ceiling of the dome. However, I quickly lost track of it in the blinding lights above only to see it again as it dropped out of the bright canopy and into the arms of the trainer. It is truly amazing that the receivers and kick returners can see the ball at all through those blazing lights.

Now imagine someone standing in the middle of the brightly illuminated field on the 50-yard line with a flashlight. Those seated in the stands can hardly see the little light being drowned out by the megalumens from the thousands of lights above. Suddenly, all of the lights in the stadium are turned off. The eyes of the crowd slowly move toward the light shining faintly but visibly from the middle of the field. The light is small and faint, but it now has their attention even though the darkness has enveloped it. In fact, it only has their attention because of the darkness around it. 

In the same way, as followers of Christ, we must be the light in the midst of an evil world. We must remember that our light can best be seen when it’s surrounded by the darkness. Therefore, when you feel you are being swallowed up by the world, remember that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:55). Instead of spending valuable energy cursing evil, let the light of Christ shine brighter in you. You will be amazed at how the darkness around you disappears as other lights join with yours to become a radiant and beautiful reflection of the light of the Son against which darkness cannot stand.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Dr. Martin Luther king, jr.