Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
I have just returned from the trip of a lifetime – the Holy Land. My wife and I spent 11 days, tracing the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If you ever have a chance to go, if you are even thinking about going, please do – it has changed my life.
One of the many memorable experiences happened at the Jordan River. Since we decided to go last year, one of the things I wanted to do was be baptized in the Jordan River as our Lord was. The touring group we were with was thirty-one people. With the exception of my wife and I, they were all Roman Catholic. Additionally, they were made up of various ethnicities: Caucasian, Hispanic, Filipino.
When we arrived at the location, my wife and I purchased robes and walked to the Jordan (it really is muddy). After becoming acclimated to the water temperature, I baptized my wife. When we looked up, several of the members of our group asked me if I would baptize them. I asked them if they were sure, because I believe in full emersion (Roman Catholics practice infantile baptism and only sprinkling). They response was it did not matter, they wanted to be baptized in the Jordan, and they wanted me to perform the ceremony. I was humbled and awestruck. I (with my wife’s assistance) baptized 15 to 20 people.
What I took from this experience was the love of Christ, the power of the Holy Ghost, should unite us. Too often, however, something in us repels people and the result is people are drawn away from Jesus. Consider that Jesus ministered to anyone who had a need: tax collectors, fishermen, Samaritans, prostitutes, sick, poor, sinners, and perhaps most importantly Gentiles.
In the referenced text, Jesus sought to encourage and teach His disciples. He was delivering the Sermon on the Mount. Most of the acts He was encouraging them to perform were unheard of: being peacemakers, meek, pure in heart. But He continued to tell them they would be blessed because they would suffer for righteousness’ sake. However, He concludes by telling them to bless those who persecute them and to rejoice because of their persecution. This kind of teaching was not only new to the disciples, but it goes against the very nature of sinful human beings. However, this is how we allow our lights to shine, and the result is people see how we live, and love and they glorify the Father. I choose to believe our fellow tour partners saw something in my wife and I that superseded race, ethnicity, and doctrines. Isn’t that what Jesus did? Was that not what happened on the Day of Pentecost?
My friends, allow the love of Jesus to shine through you. Note that Christ told the disciples they should “let” their lights shine. Too often, we want to make our lights shine. When we promote ourselves, people are repelled. When Christ is magnified, people are drawn to Him.
I bless you in the name of the Lord.