Gospel – Luke 11-12

If your Bible is one with the words of Jesus highlighted in red, you would have noticed that the bulk of today’s reading comes from Jesus Himself. As I was reading it, I imagined myself right there before the Lord, following Him whenever He goes, and listening as He speaks. I can’t help but grew envious of the people then being there with the Lord Jesus. How blessed are they to be around Jesus Himself! To be able to hear Him personally, and to be taught personally by Him.

Let’s read…

Bible Passage:  Luke 11-12

Within this two chapters, Jesus taught His followers many different things. He taught them about prayers, encouraged them not to worry, and exhorted them to be ready for the Second Coming.

The Light In Us

One particular verse strikes me as interesting:

Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness

Luke 11:35

What a strange sentence! So, is it light or darkness?

Jesus says He is the light of the world, and that he who follows Him shall have the light of life (John 8:12). We are therefore children of the light (Ephesians 5:8). We were once in darkness, but hymn 160 reminds us that when we receive the Lord Jesus into our lives, there is this heavenly light that shines through our hearts. This happens when we receive His word into our hearts. Psalm 119:105 refers to this Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

If we say we are children of God, we ought then to have this light within us, because He has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

1 Peter 2:9

Then what does Luke 11:35 mean?

I think it actually tells of the danger that the light we supposedly have within us may turn into darkness if we are not sober and keep watch. And this brings me to my next point….

Are there any dark corners in your heart?

The Bible says that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Let us try to imagine God as a giant spotlight that shines from above such that there is light only where the spotlight shines; all else is darkness. When we say that we are of God, then we ought to be standing within the boundary of the spotlight. Our entire body must be within this light. If any part of us (say, even our little finger) falls beyond this boundary of light and is covered by the darkness instead, can we still say that we are of God?

What do you say?

Remember, God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

I am quite sure that most of us strive to be within this light of God. We abide by the Ten Commandments, and we strive to keep God’s Word in our hearts. As much as possible, we try to live out His Word. Then, wherein lies the darkness?

Personally, this is an area in my life of faith that I am still struggling with. What does it really mean to be in the light? We know that light is a very powerful thing. A little light that enters a dark room can allow you to eventually view the entire room. Light allows us to see things that are otherwise hidden. Light therefore exposes what is hidden in the dark.

For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Luke 12:2-3

Do we have something hidden within our hearts that we would mind people knowing?

How about the leaven of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1)? Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers rather harshly (Luke 11:42-52). How about reflecting upon ourselves? Are our hearts as noble as our deeds appear to be?

Elder John gave us another example. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now (1 John 2:9). Maybe we do not hate our brother, but is there anyone whom you have not been treating sincerely? When we smile to that person, did it really come from the bottom of our heart? You know the answer; and God knows your heart. In actual fact, you have allowed darkness into your heart.

God likes us to be someone without guile. Remember Nathanael, “in whom is no guile” (John 1:47 KJV)? God desires people like him. I believe that God wants us to be people who are open and transparent to the world. There is a stanza in Hymn 397 that says the world is reading us like a book. Are there then any pages of your book that are tainted by darkness or which you have locked up, not wanting anyone to see?

The Bible teaches us to imitate Christ. When He was on earth, He was an open book, opened plainly for the world to see. The world saw the miracles He performed, the things He did, and heard the words He taught. Using Himself as an example, He taught His disciples love and submissiveness. He was thus not afraid when He was put on trial because there was nothing hidden in Him that can be used against Him. He was as clear as crystal. Just like how the Bride of Christ should be and will be in the end (Revelation 21:11).

Are we as clear as crystal? Or perhaps we have been tainted by some spots or blemish? Can the light of God that wants to shine through us be able to do so?

Let us strive to dig away these dirt that hide themselves in the corners of our hearts. Let us wash away the spots that prevent our crystals from shining forth the light. If not now, then when? Know that in the last days, everything will be made known (Luke 12:2-3). Would you rather be in shame then, as God recounts one after another the things you do in the dark?

I find that a scary (and rather embarrassing) thought!

So, let us not allow any part of us be contaminated by darkness; rather, move into the light of the Lord. Let us be crystal clear so that the light of God can shine through us.

Before I end off…

I started this entry envious of the people following Jesus in Luke 11-12. In actuality, we also have Him with us today. In fact, He is in us, as our Counselor, always guiding us onto the right path. The question is, do we listen?

I love the song below a lot. It reminds me always that the Lord is in fact still with us (and IN us), so we ought to always take heed to ourselves and to the doctrine, so that we may save ourselves and the people who hear us (1 Timothy 4:16).