In our scripture focus today, Paul is once again on the defense. He constantly faces character attacks by those opposed to him ministry in Corinth. He uses the metaphor of veils and light in illustrating his preaching of the gospel. Those who cannot see that Paul’s only interest is in bringing the good news have a veil over their hearts, and God’s light cannot get through.
My three year old, Hannah, has always been fascinated by light. It was one of her first words. She loves anything to do with lights, light fixtures, lamps, fireplaces, etc. Right now she’s in to flashlights. The other night, we were visiting some friends in the country. When we stepped out of their front door, there was total blackness around us. Our friends handed Hannah a flashlight so she could lead us to our car. She was delighted!
Light is a wonderful symbol of God’s love. After all, what is the purpose of light? It reveals what is hidden, so we don’t stumble (like our friend’s flashlight.) It guides us, so we might reach our destination (like a lighthouse.) It warms us and protects us, like a fire. When we have light, we can read. With the advent of electric light, we can even gather and worship in the darkness.
As followers, we respond to God’s love, revealed through Jesus, which exposes anything in us that could cause us to stumble. God’s love guides us as we follow Jesus. It warms us and protects us. We learn by it and worship through it. God’s love is the Light in a dark world.
When God’s light came into the world, those who preferred the darkness held all the power. They had religious power, legal power, and military power. So they used it to snuff out the Light. They soon discovered just how powerful God’s love was.
These same powers were at work in Paul’s day. Blinded by power, religion, and pleasure, many simply could not see the light that was right in front of their eyes.
And, these same powers are at work in our world today. Some are drawn by the bright lights of Hollywood, or Wall Street, or Capital Hill. Others are simply focused on computer screens in the office and television sets at home.
As followers of Jesus, we are like windows of God’s love, giving those blinded by the world a “cross view.” Some encounter us and pull their curtains tight, preferring the darkness while cursing it. Others chose to put on their sunglasses, knowing God’s love is there, but choosing to hold on to their own light sources.
But to those who are seeking, we become a way out of the darkness.
Our job as followers is simply to be available when those seekers look for a God’s love, and make sure nothing in our hearts obstructs their view.
Scripture focus: 2 Corinthians 4:3-7 (NIV) (The Message)
(year b, transfiguration, NT)
Background:
Review -
Corinth was a major port city in the Roman Empire, strategically located on a narrow strip of coast, fifty miles west of Athens. In New Testament times, it was the center of worship for Aphrodite, the goddess of sex, whose temple was served by over 1,000 priestess-prostitutes.
There is quite a lively “conversation” going on between the followers in Corinth and Paul, who founded the church there. Letters are being sent back and forth, delegations are coming to and fro, arguments are made, instructions given, and misconceptions clarified. I and II Corinthians are the only two surviving letters of this exchange.
2 Corinthians was probably written about six months after 1 Corinthians. Paul had moved on from Ephesus (Turkey) to Macedonia (Southeastern Europe). He had planned on making a two short visits to Corinth, but had instead settled on one longer one. His enemies used this as an opportunity to attack his character by insisting his word couldn’t be trusted.
Paul reminds the Corinthians the he is not interested in man’s opinion of him. He uses the story of Moses, who covered his face with a veil to keep the Israelites from knowing that God’s glory had faded from his face, to remind the believers at Corinth that he has nothing to hide. If anything is “hidden”, it is the truth of the gospel from those blinded by the powers at work in the world.
Today’s sermon will focus on allowing the light of God’s love to shine in our hearts, bringing to light anything that is not like Him, and revealing God’s love to others.
For further study, go here.
Five Questions:
1. What do you typically do on Friday nights?
2. How could this group help you be a better follower?
3. Is what other people think of us important? Why or why not?
4. Can other people tell that you follow Jesus? How?
5. (for thought) What are some areas of your heart that need the light of Jesus?