Luke 11: 33-36 Glow in the Dark
What is on offer for us this morning is illumination. This world is marked by darkness because the soul of man without Jesus Christ is in darkness. We are in darkness until we have the hole punched through the darkness. We’ve just passed the longest day of the year, but our world is marked by darkness. We need to punch a hole in the darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. We long that His light would shine.
Jesus tells us of this parable and we have to think about how we respond. “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.” (Luke 11:33). Some were dazzled by the light. Some considered the light to be darkness. Others saw little light in Him (verses 29-32) and made demands for further signs. It wasn’t good enough; they were looking for something else. Jesus speaks in this parable of great revelation of God Himself in His person. It is all about His person, all about Jesus.
God has put Jesus, the Light, on the stand. Many people view religion as God may have revealed Himself, but to a strange, obscure group of people. They believe it is only for a special few – perhaps those in a monastery. The Light is for everyone. Some think if it’s for everyone then it cheapens the knowledge of the truth. Not so. “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.” (Luke 11:33). The image is of a house that’s in the dark. You can imagine such a place in your mind’s eye. It’s in darkness. It’s unnerving. A restless place. You can’t fulfil your plans or get anything done. You’re stressed. Confused. The opposite of that is a room filled with light so people can see. Jesus invites you into this room to see the light. Do you prefer to be in a room filled with darkness? There’s no point having a light in a room where there is no-one. We invite people into a room of light. Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the lamp that must not be hidden.
Where do you find this light? Is it in church? Where do we find truth in this day and age? Some believe that they can look deep within themselves and find a well of life. Sadly, that is not true. The Bible tells us that what we have within is darkness. The light is in Jesus Christ. The light of God has shone on Him.
We need healthy eyes to see, “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.” (Luke 11:34). The way the lamp of Jesus becomes a light to you is to see it as it really is. When your eye is healthy you are full of light when you see Jesus. Many people suffer with sight loss, struggling especially in the evening, when night falls. Jesus talks about people who struggle without the light of Christ, who have unhealthy eyes. Jesus is alerting these hearers that the problem is not to do with the light, but with them. The blind need to see the entry of light shining. Jesus healed so many blind people in His ministry.
How easy it is for us to become dull to the reality of the cross. How much does the cross mean to you right now? It’s not a problem with the message but with us. Have healthy eyes. Pray that God will give you healthy eyes.
“Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.” (Luke 11:35). Be careful. It places the onus on you. You have some responsibility here. Jesus says, ‘Listen to this. See to it. Be careful lest this light in you be darkness.’ We need to examine ourselves. Is my light really light or is it darkness? Dear friends, be careful with your soul. Are you sure you’re in the light? You may be fooling yourself.
There are many bright things that keep us from seeing Jesus. Be careful. There are many theological teachers who do not walk in truth. If you’re not in the light of Christ in your whole body, you are still in darkness. Be careful what you see as bright and attractive. These bright lights die away.
Let’s make much of the Word. Don’t just read of Christ on the cross – maintain a soft heart. Listen to the warnings and pleas of God’s Word. Contemplate. Take time to examine your soul. Are you right with God? Concentrate. Make a deliberate attempt to focus on Christ. Shine. We must shine our light. Christ is the glory we are meant to see.
Penuel Baptist Chapel, Roch 