This Little Light of Mine

Hoarding the Internet

Imagine Thomas Edison keeping the lightbulb just to himself. What if Jonas Salk decided to bogart the cure for polio and not share it with the public? I don’t even want to consider the idea of Al Gore personally hoarding the internet.

Seems pretty silly, doesn’t it? You’ve got something that could change lives of people everywhere but decide to save it all for yourself. That’s exactly the kind of selfishness and absurdity Jesus says we practice whenever His followers get greedy with the grace of God.

A Light in the Darkness

In his biography of Jesus, John Mark writes the time the Lord uses the image of light shining in the darkness to illustrate the idea to His closest followers (Mk 4:21-23). The best way to understand His point is to have our Savior sing us the lyrics of that old Sunday school ditty. It goes a little something like this…

This little light of Mine, you’ve gotta let it shine!

When and Where

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. In order to understand what the Lord is about to say, we need context. That’s a fancy way of saying we need to know what’s going on.

The time is around AD 30. The place is northern Israel. More specifically near the big lake known as the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has just wrapped up speaking to a crowd so big that He had to use a boat to keep from getting crushed (Mk 4:1).

Parables 101

In order to get His point across to the audience, the radical Rabbi/Carpenter uses a teaching tool called a parable (Mk 4:2). When He’s finished talking to the big crowd, Jesus’ personal posse pulls Him aside and asks to explain His word picture of seeds and soils (Mk 4:3-10).

Christ not only connects the dots on the original illustration but gives them a quick lesson in unlocking these metaphors (Mk 4:11-20). Call it Parables 101. They will become the favorite tool in His teaching toolbox in order to shed light on the Kingdom of God.

Expecting a “No”

After illuminating His first parable, Christ goes on to tell them a second story about a lamp. He begins by asking them a question. “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not!” (v21).

Before we get to the parable itself, there’s something we need to see. Mark’s construction of the original Greek here actually expects you to answer “no.” He uses the little word μητι/meti, which automatically assumes an obviously negative answer.

That’s Crazy Talk!

We see it each time someone presents a premise is so ridiculous and over the top that you could never dream of it actually happening. Like if someone pitches a movie idea where a defective hot tub at a ski resort accidentally sends people back in time. Oh wait. They actually made that one. Never mind.

But when the Son of God describes scene in His story, there’s nobody listening who thinks this can ever happen. Put a lamp under basket or bed? You can just hear people respond, “That’s crazy talk! Are you out of your ever-lovin’ mind?!?”

Everyday Stuff for an Eternal Point

Once again, Jesus uses everyday stuff in order to make an eternal point. He takes household items. A lamp. A basket. A bed. A stand. These are things you’d find in the average Galilean home. He goes on to describe something you would do every evening when the sun went down.

Since we’re talking about life in the First Century, let’s make sure we know what our Savior is talking about. A “lamp” (Gr. luchnos/λυχνοσ) is a portable light source made of a burning wick soaked in oil held by a small clay pot. It’s actually something other than a candle.

No Flip of the Switch

Remember, these people are living a few thousand years before electricity. Light isn’t just one little flip of the switch away. If the sun’s not up, it’s dark. You desperately need a light source. Think back to the last time your power went out and you scrambled for candles and a flashlight.

That’s everyday life during the life of Jesus. Back in the day, your day was completely oriented around…well…the day! Before sunrise and after sunset, you would light your lamp in order to see what you’re doing or where you’re going.

How Many Pecks in a Bushel?

The next ordinary variety item is the “basket” (Gr. μοδιος/modios). The word here describes a Roman measurement of grain that equals about two gallons or eight quarts (one peck…as if anybody really knows what that is!).

This is a woven bin, bucket, or box used for carrying dry goods like grain or flour. The only time this word is used in this same illustration in other Gospels (Mt 5:15; Lk 11:33). Bible expert Alexander MacLaren believes the basket symbolizes our work life, the desire for money, power, and status. I think he’s all over it.

A First Century Recliner

Jesus also mentions a “bed” (Gr. κλινη/kline). This is any piece of furniture that allows you to recline or lie down. It literally means a recliner. But don’t make the mistake that this is your dad’s favorite La-Z-Boy for watching SportsCenter.

It could be a mattress for sleeping, a couch for relaxing, or even the piece of furniture that folks would use to lean back and eat a meal. That same Bible ninja thinks the bed symbolizes our home and where we kick back and get comfortable. Once again, I’m pretty sure he nailed it.

Well, Duh

We find the fourth household item in the answer to Jesus’ original rhetorical question. “A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine” (v21). The Greek word λυχνια/luchnia is any sort of device for holding one or more oil lamps up high. It could be anything from a fancy schmancy candelabra or simply a shelf on the wall.

Remember how Christ assumes a “no” to His original question? Well the grammar of this next sentence implies an obvious “yes” response. The idea is goes a little something like this. “You would put a lamp on stand, right? Right?!?” Well, duh. Where else would you put one?!?!

Get It High and Let It Shine

Once you ignite the light, you get up high. The higher the lamp, the brighter the room. A tall stand or well-placed ledge allows one little light to have the greatest impact in driving back the darkness. Get it high. Let it shine.

Jesus’ parable about lamps, baskets, beds, and stands has a couple of meanings. And whattaya know, they’re both related to His seed scattering story. First and foremost, it’s about letting this little light of the Lord shine brightly in our lives.

How do we know? Because our Savior says something very similar in the Sermon on the Mount. By the way, some folks wonder why Jesus seems to repeat Himself so much.

Jesus’ Most Famous Sermon

Well, there’s a pretty good chance that Christ used the same illustration at several different times and places. Most great teachers and speakers don’t just say something once and look for new material.

So back in His most famous sermon, Jesus tells His hillside audience, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:15-16).

Did you catch that? He doesn’t command His followers shine but states it as a fact. You ARE the light of the world. If we’ve placed your trust in Christ, we shine His light. We crank up the beacon of God’s goodness in our lives whenever we do good things for others.

How Bright Is My Light?

The bigger question is how well are we radiating His love, His truth, and His grace to those around us? What’s the quality of our illumination? How bright is our light? How high have we lifted His lamp?

The more I share and sacrifice, the higher I lift the light of Jesus. The more I put others’ needs ahead of my own, the brighter His light shines. And remember, the One who gets the credit isn’t us but our heavenly Dad.

Cracked Pots

That’s because it’s NOT my light but His! The only reason we are the light of the world (Mt 5:16) is because He is the Light of the World (Jn 8:12)! And Jesus absolutely LOVES shining His light through broken vessels and cracked pots like you and me.

The Apostle Paul puts it like this. “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2Cor 4:7).

A Dimmer Switch on the Divine

But too many times my life is more like a dimmer switch on the divine light of Jesus. Remember what that Bible guru said about putting the lamp in the wrong places like the basket and bed?

We shove God’s light under a basket whenever we allow our work to consume us and take priority over our relationship with the Lord. Just to be clear, I’m not talking about working on Sunday. What I am talking about is giving your profession the poll position in your life.

Work Takes No Prisoners

I know, I know. You would NEVER make that mistake. Take it from somebody has. You tell yourself it won’t happen to you. Working late shouldn’t be a problem. Picking up a shift over the weekend isn’t a big deal. Hey, who couldn’t use the overtime?

If I’m not paying attention, work has a nasty habit of weaseling everything else out of the way. It takes no prisoners. That includes my faith. Especially my faith.

Instead, I need to pull His light out from under the basket and give Jesus the top priority that only He deserves. Let His lamp shine brightly for everyone to see puts my career back in then proper order.

What’s Your Sleep Number?

On the other end of the spectrum, our Savior also mentions a bed. He’s not talking about a Serta Perfect Sleeper or giving His divine endorsement to the Sleep Number Bed.

The bed symbolizes our desire for comfort and rest. Don’t get me wrong. God wants us to get our rest. Remember, He actually commanded His people get a weekly day off after 400-plus years without one (Ex 20:8).

Me, Myself, and I

The problem comes when we only focus on our R&R at the expense of everything and everybody else. Here’s the deal. Letting the Lord’s light shine is all about sacrifice. We have to get off our Blessed Assurance to make that happen.

What do the work “basket” and comfort “bed” have in common? Three things: me, myself, and I. That’s to say they’re both the result of selfishness. Some of us are prone to worship at the altar of the workplace. Some of us kick back on a comfy couch. Too many of us can pull off this selfish double without any problem at all!

Stimulating Our Curiosity

But, remember we said Jesus’ parable has second meaning as well. The other meaning has to do with how and why He loves using these simple stories. His purpose of speaking in parables isn’t to keep God’s truth hidden. It was to sharpen our attention and stimulate our curiosity.

Christ makes that glaringly apparent when He tells them, “For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light” (v22). It may be out of sight now, but just you wait. What you’ll soon see will be outta sight!

Don’t Be Greedy with the Gospel

That’s because Jesus certainly isn’t being greedy with the Gospel. It’s the whole reason He’s come. Christ came from heaven in order to give. To give us overflowing life (Jn 10:10). To give His very own life.

Then just like He did we wrapping up story about seeds and soils (Mk 4:9), Jesus says once again, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand” (v23). It’s a mic drop moment. Hello, McFly!?!

Are You Tracking?

The Lord wants to make sure His closest followers are paying close attention. Eugene Peterson and the folks at The Message paraphrase it this way. “Are you listening to this? Really listening?” (v23 The Message). Are you tracking? Do you follow?

With that, Jesus gives us the very important reason we need to have our ears open and brains engaged. “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be give.” (v24-25).

A Spiritual Windfall

Christ tells us we get an amazing return on our investment. Whenever we apply what He tells us, we will experience a spiritual windfall! If I am truly paying attention and then applying His wisdom and guidance in my life, there’s a whole lot more where that comes from.

That happens by giving ourselves away. The Son of God doesn’t give His grace to us with the idea that it stops with us. We give and keep on giving. He calls us to be rivers of His goodness, not reservoirs of greed.

Selfish or Selfless?

On the other hand, the Lord warns us against selfishness. “But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them” (v25).

If I wrap my arms around what my Savior tells me, then there’s more of His goodness to come! But if I put a death grip on His gifts, I’ll lose what I already have. Think of it this way. Share what He gives! Otherwise you’re wasting your time. God will give it to somebody who will pass it along.

Generous Giver or Greedy Getter?

Jesus’ big idea from this little lesson about lamps, baskets and beds is all about generosity. Shine His light. Get it high. Make it bright. Pass it along.

Follow the Lord’s example. Be a generous giver, not a greedy getter. Be selfless, not selfish. Whatever He lavishes on you and me is NOT meant to be hoarded.

How dark would our lives be if Edison kept the light bulb to himself? How much suffering would there be if Salk didn’t share his discovery? What if Al Gore…well, get where I’m going. Let’s get out there and lift the lamp of God high.

This little light of Mine, you’ve got to let it shine!

©2017

Jay Jennings

When God's Light Shines

“and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2Tim 1:10).

There have always been heated rivalries. The Hatfields and McCoys. Duke and Carolina. Red Sox and Yankees. Team Edward and Team Bella. But there’s one pair of rivals that goes way back. I mean WAY back. Back to Creation. Who are they? Darkness and light. You may have heard about them. There’s only one problem with their feud. It’s really not much of a rivalry at all. Light is undefeated. It wins. Every. Single. Time. Like I said, not much of a rivalry when you get down to it. Kinda like the Cubs and Cardinals. On the other hand, I guess anybody can have a bad century. But I digress.

Light has been kicking darkness’ backside since God first flipped on the switch in the beginning (Gen 1:3). Here in his second letter to Timothy, Paul tells his young protege how our Heavenly Father kicked on the most powerful light in the universe when His Son took human form. From the darkness of a Roman dungeon, the apostle writes of how our salvation “has now been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (v10). 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Think we’re overstating the dazzling brilliance of what Paul says? Believe it or not, a closer look at the original language reveals that the apostle mentions light not once, not twice, but THREE times! Think of it as God flipping on three supernatural light switches. The Greek words the ESV translates as “manifested,” “appearing,” and “brought to…light” all carry the idea of shining brightly. That makes sense when you remember that Jesus Himself announced, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). The apostle’s point to Tim is that when Christ stepped into the spotlight of history, He made everything clear. It’s almost like we stumbled around in the dark and were feeling our way around. Suddenly, Jesus appears and God’s plan shines like the lights of Time Square. In the bright light of the Lord, the darkness of death dies. 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Exactly what is Paul describing when he writes that “which now has been manifested” (v10)? The key is in the previous verse. So before moving forward, take a quick look in the rearview mirror. He’s talking about the overflowing grace which “He gave us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2Tim 2:9). Did you realize that God’s grace is prehistoric? That wasn’t fully clear until the radical Rabbi/Carpenter made the scene in first century Palestine.

God’s amazing grace was “manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus” (v10). Here’s the first light switch in verse 10. “Manifested” is the Greek verb phanero’o, which means to make known, reveal, make evident, cause to be seen or appear, or become visible. It comes from the root word phos, which describes something that shines or glows. Look familiar? It should. That’s where we get our words like photo, photosynthesis, and phosphorus. 

Allow God’s Word to shine a little light on this word. Paul tells his Ephesian friends, “When anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible (Gr. phanero’o)” (Eph 5:13). Late one night, Jesus tells one of the religious hot shots of the time named Nicodemus, “Whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen (Gr. phanero’o) that his works have been carried out in God” (Jn 3:21). Before our Savior gave sight to a man blind from birth, He says to His crew that God hadn’t punished the dude for any sin, but so that “the works of God might be displayed (Gr. phanero’o) in him” (Jn 9:3). In other words, just wait and see what happens when the Lord flips the light switch in this guy’s life for the very first time.

When God’s Light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Paul goes on to say that God fires up His floodlight “through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus” (v10). We come to the second divine light switch. “Appearing” (Gr. epiphaneia) is from the same root word as “manifested.” This particular term describes an outward show or something becoming conspicuous. Once again, it means to shine a bright light. When the human authors of the Bible use it when talking about a visible manifestation of the divine. More specifically, they only use in the NT to describe Jesus’ physical Incarnation as the God-Man (2Tim 4:8) or His spectacular encore we call the Second Coming (2Th 2:8; 1Tim 6:14; 2Tim 4:1, 8, Titus 2:13). If you think things shined on His first appearance, it’s really gonna dazzle when our Hero returns. Our future’s so bright, we’re gonna need shades.

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

The apostle wants his readers to know God has revealed Jesus to be so much more than simply an awesome self-help teacher, new age philosopher, or miraculous healer. He’s “our Savior Christ Jesus” (v10). As Savior, the Son of God has come to our rescue. After saving a local mafia boss in Jericho, the Lord announces at a dinner party in His honor how He “came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk 19:10). 

Jesus saved us because we couldn’t save ourselves. He fulfills every one of His Father’s commands we could never dream of obeying (Mt 5:17). Jesus saves us by living the perfect life we failed to live, dying the death for our sin we should have died, and rising to the new life we don’t deserve. He trades His perfection for our rebellion (2Cor 5:21). God shines His light on Jesus as the Savior who makes the greatest search and rescue mission the universe has ever seen. Think of the Second Person of the Godhead like a lighthouse in the darkness of the raging storm.

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

The radical Rabbi/Carpenter is also the “Christ” (v10). You do realize that Christ isn’t Jesus’ last name. He’s NOT the son of Joseph and Mary Christ. Christ is His title. It means the Anointed One. He’s anointed BY His Father. He’s anointed WITH the Holy Spirit (Lk 3:21-22). As the Anointed One, Jesus operates with all the power and authority of the Trinity. The title Christ is the NT equivalent of the OT Messiah. This is the long promised Hero to come out of the Jewish people and come to the world’s rescue. God first introduced the idea of Messiah just after the Fall (Gen 3:15). He builds on the covenant promise to people like Abraham (Gen 12:1-3; 17:1-8) and David (2Sam 7:9-17). 

As the Messiah/Christ, Jesus is the point of the entire Bible. In other words, Scripture tells just one grand story that some folks call the Metanarrative. Christ is THE Big Hero of the THE Big Story. Not Noah. Not Joseph. Not Moses. Not David. Not Solomon. They are each broken and flawed people in desperate need of a Savior just like you and me. 

Did you know that Jesus Himself said He was the Hero of God’s Story? He tells the religious elite how the Scriptures “bear witness about Me” (Jn 5:39). He goes on to say that when Moses wrote the first five books of the OT, “He wrote of Me” (Jn 5:46). If that’s not enough, the resurrected Jesus leads two dudes from Emmaus on what may be the greatest Bible study of all time. “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Lk 24:67). God’s Word shines the spotlight on Christ and Christ alone. 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Jesus doesn’t just bask in the limelight. He also “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (v10). Paul drops a word (Gr. katargeo) the ESV translates as “abolished.” It describes not just destruction but also a replacement by something better. One expert in the original language says it’s a nonphysical destruction by means of a superior force coming in to replace the force previously in effect, such as light destroying darkness. Did you catch that? “Such as light destroying darkness.” I see what he did there.

Just as light destroys the dark, Jesus brings “life” (v10) to destroy death. We’re talking about an exchange that’s a serious upgrade! As the folks on the Ginsu Knife commercials like to say, “And that’s not all!” This is no garden variety, run-of-the-mill, let’s-get-this-over, boring life. Christ made it totally clear that He came not only give us life but life that is lavish overflowing (Jn 10:10).

This incredible new life that Jesus brings isn’t some short-term deal either. He delivers “immortality” (v10). Once again, it’s a flashback to Christ’s midnight convo with Nicodemus. Whoever trusts in God’s Son will “not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). And Jesus brings His followers immortality, there’s no waiting. This is an eternal life that starts right here, right now!

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

We flip on the third switch of verse 10 here when Jesus “brought…to light” these blessings life and immortality. Paul uses another light word: photizo. It means to shine, enlighten, light up, or cause to fully understand by illumination. Jesus’ best buddy John says Christ is “the true light, which gives light (Gr. photizo) to everyone” (Jn 1:9). John also describes how when God eventually brings heaven to earth, “the glory of God gives it light (Gr. photizo)” (Rev 21:23). Once Jesus returns, we obviously won’t have to worry about which light bulbs to buy. 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

With all of the lights on, we can now see everything clearly and plainly. It all makes sense. Through Jesus, light wins and darkness loses. Through Jesus, life wins and death loses. In case you had any doubt, Paul lets us know it all went down “through the Gospel” (v10). “Gospel” is a word (Gr. euaggelion) that literally describes good news or a great message. It’s like finding out the best possible info via a push alert on your phone or a bulletin on TV. This just in! Jesus punches the lights out of sin and death for you and me and so we can spend eternity with Him. This is REALLY Good News! 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Three supernatural light switches. As Paul flicks each one here in verse 10, the light of God defeats death and darkness each and every time. Click. Click. Click. That certainly makes sense. Sin loves the shadows. It hides in the darkness like the monster under your bed. It suddenly loses it’s power when the room fills with light. That’s VERY Good News! Check out the paraphrase in The Message. “But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus” (v10 The Message). 

Let God's light shine in you. Let God's light shine through you. Let Jesus' work on your behalf be obvious to those around you. There's a great song you may have sung as a kid that goes like this. "This little Light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." Great idea but there's just one little problem. It's not a little light. It's God's great big light. The Apostle Peter tells us that God made us His own so that we "may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1Pet 2:19). Don't hide your light or turn down the dimmer (Mt 5:15). Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Turning Enemies into Friends

“though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief” (1Tim 1:13)

I need you to use your imagination for a moment. And I need you to crank it up to 11. Picture the number one enemy of the Christian faith suddenly switching sides and becoming a spokesperson for the Son of God. Try to wrap your brain around the idea of an enemy like Osama bin Laden unexpectedly spreading the love of Jesus across the planet instead of trying to wipe His followers from the face of the earth. Hard to imagine, right?

That’s EXACTLY the kind of guy that Jesus chose not only use to spread His Gospel throughout the Roman Empire but write most of the New Testament. In a letter to Timothy, Paul reflects on his wrap sheet. “Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief” (v13). The apostle knows without a doubt he didn’t make a mistake. He realizes he wasn’t simply misguided. He didn’t just say “my bad.” He was a rebel with a cause against Christ. Despite all of that, Jesus overwhelmed His enemy in His amazing mercy. What a great reminder that our Savior loves to qualify the disqualified. That means me. That means you.

It’s easy to loose sight of Paul’s background when we see him at this point in his life. He’s Christ’s handpicked apostle to non-Jews everywhere. When he’s not in jail for upsetting local authorities with the Gospel, he’s always on the road telling everyone who will listen that the resurrected Jesus is the Hero sent straight from heaven to save the world. But before he was Paul, he was Saul. Before he was an apostle, he was an assassin. Before he was a missionary, he was a murderer. Before he was Jesus’ biggest proponent, he was Jesus’ biggest opponent. It’s a great reminder of the turnarounds our Savior loves to pull. He’s not looking to make good people better. The Son of God didn’t just water in to wine. You've heard of frenemies. Jesus loves turning His enemies into His friends.

Paul has nothing to hide from his spiritual son. He’s left Tim in Ephesus to pastor the growing megachurch there while he heads off the Macedonia (1Tim 1:3). The apostle gives his protege specific instructions to shut down a team of false teachers who are stirring up trouble (1Tim 1:3-7). The man from Tarsus knows all about what it means to be against the Gospel. He devoted himself to that cause for years. At the time, he sincerely believed he was doing the right thing. He was sincerely wrong. What did it get him? The realization that he was “blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” (v13) of God. Just in case you were wondering, God beats His enemies. Every. Single. Time. The Generals have a better chance against the Globetrotters.

The apostle readily admits that he once was a “blasphemer (Gr. blasphemos)” (v13). This is a person who defames another in general and someone who speaks against God more specifically. But this is the idea of someone who openly insults another. A slanderer who trashes your reputation. In today’s culture, we call it hate speech. It’s literally someone who hurts another with their words. Now you can’t really injure Almighty God with what you say. The truth is the only person you’re really hurting is yourself. 

Paul also transparently tells Tim that he was a “persecutor” (v13) in the past. He uses a Greek term (Gr. dioktes) that paints portrait of a person preoccupied with causing others to pain (say THAT three times fast!). It comes from a verb that means to chase swiftly or hunt down. The book of Acts doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to Paul’s relentless pursuit of Jesus’ followers. He led house-to-house raids (Acts 8:3; 9:1). He mercilessly tortured many right in the synagogue (Acts 26:11). He had martyrs’ blood on his hands as well (Acts 22:4; 26:10). Paul comes clean to the Galatians about how he “persecuted the church God violently” (Gal 1:13). The apostle doesn’t shy away from his days as a Christian hunter.

If that doesn’t make your skin crawl, the apostle formerly known as Saul lays his cards on the table as a former “insolent opponent” (v13). This describes someone who is a violent aggressor. But it’s even worse than that. There’s arrogance and superiority involved. It’s someone with a superior attitude who mistreats others out of their own rebellion against God’s truth. Think hate groups like the KKK who intentionally look down on their enemies and do what they can to wipe them off the map. Before Jesus saved him, Paul saw little to no value in anyone below him in the religious pecking order. 

Oh, how times and hearts have changed. The jaw-dropping turnaround started a few years back when this Hebrew up-and-comer was on one of his patented search-and-destroy missions to Damascus. That’s when the resurrected Christ made it clear to Saul that when he persecutes His church, he persecutes Jesus personally (Acts 9:4-5; 22:7-8; 26:14-15). Once God shined his holy light of truth on Paul’s life, he saw his sin for what it really was. He saw himself for who he really was.

That was the very moment when Paul “obtained mercy” (v13) from His Savior. He uses a verb (Gr. ele’eo) that is less about a judicial ruling in his favor but receiving compassion or pity. Over and over, it’s what people tossed aside by society would plead Christ for. Two visually impaired men chased after Jesus and shouted, “Have mercy (Gr. ele’eo) on us, Son of David” (Mt 9:27). You and I would probably put this torturer and terrorist at the top of the most wanted list, NOT God’s mercy list. But in a letter to the Roman church, Paul reminds believers of what God said to Moses. “I will have mercy on (Gr. ele’eo) whom I have mercy (Gr. ele’eo)…So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy (Gr. ele’eo)” (Rom 9:15, 16). We need to remember that God showers His compassion on those He chooses. We don’t earn it. We can’t earn it. Our man Paul knows that better than most.

Saul/Paul quite simply did not understand who Jesus was and what He had done, or in his words, “because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief” (v13). As a member of the Pharisees, he believed it was up to him to save himself by building up a religious resume so impressive that God had to accept him (Phil 3:4-7). His admission of ignorance is not an excuse or an attempt to rationalize all he had done. Until Jesus blindsided him on the highway outside Damascus, this rising Jewish rock star was defending his religion against these whacky radicals. 

Like so many people around the world today, he mistakenly believed HE was on a mission from God. He was convinced this movement called the Way was clearly headed the wrong way. But the confrontation with Christ flipped on the light switch. Paul then realized that the only thing that matters is a personal relationship with Jesus and everything else was nothing more than a big steaming pile (Phil 3:7-9).

So what can we take from these words written from a mentor to his protege more than 2,000 years ago? What can we learn from this verse? Don’t miss the fact that Paul confessed. Throughout the New Testament, we see that he confessed early and often. Once Jesus shines His holy light on his life, the apostle understood exactly who he was and what he had done. Then he said it out loud. His sin was all out in the open.    

Confession brings our sin out from hiding. Funny thing. What seems so scary and mean in the dark becomes kinda wimpy when we drag it into the light. Horror movies are so horrible in the daytime. When we keep our sin secret, we carry it alone. Jesus’ little brother James knew the importance of confessing our sins to our closest spiritual brothers and sisters (James 5:16). Find a trusted crew of believers and open up. Reveal your mess. Disclose your dirt. Divulge your darkness. Stop carrying your secret crap all alone. Owning up to our sin also puts the focus on Jesus and His goodness…as it should be. In case you forgot, it’s not about you. Don’t impress. Confess. It’s what happens when Jesus turns us from one of His enemies into a friend.

Heavenly Citizens

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

In the United States, we blow it out for our nation’s birthday on the Fourth of July. Fireworks. Hot dogs. Fireworks. Cookouts. Fireworks. Picnics. Did I mention fireworks? We celebrate the day our founding fathers put their John Hancock on the Declaration of Independence back in 1776. But sixteen centuries before the American colonies revolted against King George of England, Paul gives us a heavenly civics lesson. He reminds us that patriotism is great but there’s one allegiance that takes priority for every follower of Jesus. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (v20). As heavenly citizens, we anticipate Jesus’ jaw-dropping encore. While we wait, we devote ourselves to shining His light and spreading His salt until He swings back by. 

It’s a mistake to think Paul takes his Roman citizenship lightly. As a matter of fact, it came in VERY handy when a lynch mob tossed him and Silas into the joint during their trip to Philippi (Acts 16:37). The fact that he’s behind bars in the capital of Rome is evidence of his citizenship. The apostle leveraged his rights as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to Caesar (Acts 25:11). And citizenship is a really big deal to the Philippians. The city may be in first century Macedonia (what we know as modern day Greece), but it’s an important Roman colony. Historians describe this seaport as Rome’s Macedonian Mini-Me. You see, Roman citizenship was something very special. Unlike America, Roman citizenship is a privileged political and legal status to free individuals. Just because you are born and raised in the empire doesn’t mean you’re a citizen. 

Paul tells us that as followers of Jesus “our citizenship is in heaven” (v20). He contrasts the I-want-it-and-I-want-it-now of the “enemies of the cross” (Phil 1:18-19) with the eager waiting of heavenly citizens. If God’s opponents are known for their demand for instant gratification of the god of their gut, heavenly citizens wait patiently and expectantly. The apostle talks about our greater “citizenship” (v20), which is the Greek word politeuma. It actually describes a civic entity, a location in which one has the rights of a citizen, a commonwealth, state, government, and even a homeland. We’ve all known somebody who grew up somewhere else and all they ever talk about is “back home”? For all I know that might be you! That’s kind of the idea. Right here and right now may be nice, but it’s not home. It’s not where you’re supposed to be.

The Bible is all about strangers in a strange land. God calls his boy Abraham to pack his bags and head to the “land I will show you” (Gen 12:1). Joseph gets sold out by his big brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt (Gen 37:26-28). Moses is on the lamb for murder and hides out (Ex 2:15). He even named his boy Gershom, which literally means “stranger in a strange land” (Ex 2:22). God rescues His people from 400-plus years of slavery in Egypt to take them home to the Promised Land (Ex 12:40-42). The list goes on and on. Daniel. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Ezra. Nehemiah. Ruth. Noah. And is there any greater story of an alien living in a foreign land than the Son of God’s rescue mission to save you and me? He left the luxury of the heavenly palace and dive into this sinful dumpster we call earth. It’s hard to wrap our heads around what He gave up to save our bacon. As followers of Jesus, we’re His body. That means until Christ comes back, we’re His eyes, heart, hands and feet to our friends and neighbors. Do you ever get the feeling there’s something more? Do you ever have a restless sense you’ve got somewhere else to be? That’s actually a good thing. Just like Jesus, you’re a stranger in a strange land. Just like Jesus, “our citizenship is in heaven” (v20).

So what does than mean? How do we live if we’re just passing through? MacArthur says we’re actually a colony of foreigners. Picture ourselves as pioneers and settlers sent to bring an amazing message of a better land to come. We’re setting up outposts of God’s kingdom. Until that happens, we should be a blessing to those around us. A great example are God’s orders to His people living in exile in Babylon. Build houses. Plant gardens. Get married. Have kids. Build great families. “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jer 29:7). Are your neighbors glad you live next door? Is your boss excited when you come to work? Are you a firehose of God’s grace to everyone around you? Earlier in Philippians, Paul encourages them to “let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27). This could easily be translated as “be good citizens worthy of Christ’s Gospel by being good citizens.” Is your home a safe place for hurting people or a bomb shelter for you to hide out until Jesus comes back? Heaven may be our home but we need to be a blessing to those around us right here and right now. 

As heavenly citizens, Paul says “we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (v20). He uses an extra special, super duper word here. It’s the Greek verb apekdechomai. The apostle isn’t painting a picture of of us passively tapping our toes and twiddling our thumbs as we wait for Christ to come to our rescue. Instead of killing time, we’re to be anxiously expecting Him. Eagerly waiting for Him. Looking patiently forward to His return. Remaining in a state of readiness until that awesome day. According to Robertson, this vividly pictures Paul’s eagerness for the second coming of Christ as the normal attitude of the Christian colonist whose is heaven. Just in case you weren’t aware, Jesus IS coming back! One look around should tell you this isn’t how things ought to be. Our Savior has one final encore that’s going to seriously rock the joint. He’s coming back once and for all to set everything straight. Yeah, He’s going to rescue His followers but there’s so much more on His divine to-do list. Redeem His creation that we jacked up. Defeat Satan and his demonic toadies. Punish evil. Reward righteousness. I don’t know about you, but that’s certainly worth waiting for. 

So in the meantime, we wait. Expectantly. Eagerly. Patiently. Faithfully. As heavenly citizens, we should be a blessing to those around us. Are folks excited about seeing you walk through the door? Or do they roll their eyes and dread your arrival? I’m not saying there aren’t times to stand up for God’s holy standard. But we need to remember we don’t have the market cornered on righteousness. We’re simply humble beggars who’ve been told where to find the Bread. We wait for His return by shining His light. We wait by spreading His salt. We wait by being good neighbors, good workers, good friends, and good citizens. 

Leaving the Whine Country

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15).

Wine is booming right now. Folks hang out at wine bars, attend wine tastings, and go on wine tours of the wine country. I love a glass of Merlot as much as the next guy. My Savior has been known to keep the party going when the Cabernet runs low. However whine is also everywhere these days. At home. At work. At church. It seems like we’ve taken complaining and snark to an art form. There’s just one little problem. Believers shouldn’t bellyache. About anything. It’s one clear way we stand out in a world full of moaners. Paul lets us know once Jesus comes to our rescue we leave the whine country. 

Hey, if anybody had a reason to grumble it would be the man with the pen in his hand. The apostle writes to his friends back in Philippi from behind bars in Rome. He’s in Caesar’s Supermax after being wrongly accused of stirring up trouble among the Jewish people back in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-36). He’s spent the past several years in the joint just waiting for his case to be heard and eventually appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 25:11). Along the way, he’s survived a hurricane at sea, been shipwrecked, bitten by a venomous snake before being thrown back in the slammer once again. What he’s been through makes “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” look like a walk in the park. But take a listen outside Paul’s cell for just a moment. What do you hear? Not one bit of grumbling. Zip. Zilch. Zero. Now he writes to the followers of Jesus in Philippi. The best way to stand out from the rest of the whining world is to quit complaining.

I’m pretty sure the apostle left us a little wiggle room when it comes to grumbling. There must be a handful of things we can still gripe about. Let’s take a closer look, shall we? “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (v14). Did he really write “all things?” Really? I can’t even complain about going to the DMV office? Surely he doesn’t mean calls from telemarketers. He must leave a loophole for those times I’m stuck in traffic and the interstate transforms into a parking lot. Nope. Sorry. “All things” (v14). A closer look at the Greek tells us Paul is talking about “all things.” As the old saying goes, “‘All’ means ‘all’ and that’s all ‘all’ means.” Trust me, I wish there a way around this too. We may have every reason to kvetch and moan. But we’re to follow the example of the One who came to pull us out of the mess we made. If the sinless of Son of God didn’t mutter under His breath as He was betrayed and murdered, what right do we have?

Just in case we’re unsure what “all things” we’re not to do, the man from Tarsus spells it out. “Grumbling or disputing” (v14). The first word is goggusmos, which means murmuring, muttering, or a complaint not openly shared complaining. This when we crank up a whisper campaign for those around us. We’re not grabbing a bullhorn and announcing to the world how jacked up the situation is. No, this is much more subtle and subversive. To paraphrase Governor Pappy O’Daniel from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, we’re not mass communicatin’. We’re one-and-a-timin’. We grumble to the person in the next cube about what’s going on. We whine to the folks in line at Starbucks. We rant on Facebook or Twitter. I’m looking for sympathy and support because I’m a victim. Look at poor, poor pitiful me. But maybe I’m the only one who does this. There’s no way you would stoop to anything like this, is there?

Paul tells us to steer clear of “disputing” (Gr. dialogismos). Notice how similar it is to the word “dialogue.” He’s talking about two people in an open argument. No whisper campaign here. This is blatant arguing. That’s EXACTLY the kind of garbage we shouldn’t find among God’s people. The apostle writes to his buddy Tim, “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling (Gr. dialogismos)” (1Tim 2:8). He tells the church in Rome not to get into silly fights with folks who are immature (Rom 14:1). When it comes to arguing, remember that it takes two to tango. There are times to take a stand but does this dispute bring glory to God? Does it bring people closer to Jesus? Or is it simply throwing mud on the wedding dress of the Bride of Christ? More often than not, I need to let it drop. Or in the words of that great theologian Elsa, “Let it go!”

One huge reason for the followers of Jesus to drop the grumbling and disputing is to stand out from the rest of society. We avoid muttering and arguing “that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you will shine as lights in the world” (v15). Once we’re kids of the King, we have NOTHING to whine or complain about! When we stop griping, we’ll stick out from everybody else. Why doesn’t she bellyache about her boss? Why won’t he beef about his situation? Suddenly, we shine brightly in a very dark world. Jesus called us to be light shiners and salt spreaders (Mt 5:13-16). One key way we do that is stuffing a sock in mouths instead of calling the wambulance. Let’s be “the light of the world” and “a city set on a hill” (Mt 5:14) instead of Debbie Downer or the sultan of snark. Remember, once Jesus comes to our rescue we leave the whine country. 

Storm Surge and Shooting Stars

“Wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever” (v13).

So what in the wide world of sports do big surf, shooting stars and being afraid of the dark have in common. Well, Jude is so very glad you asked. The first two are descriptions of a crew of false teachers who have infiltrated local churches. The last is their eventual destination thanks to his big Brother. They destroy like the relentless and violent storm surge of a hurricane. They flame out like a shooting star with no lasting impact. But in the end, Jesus has a special place in hell reserved for them. And, unlike Tom Bodett, He will NOT leave the light on for them.

These spiritual snake oil salesmen are such bad news to the Good News that Jude has compared them to several infamous bad guys in the Old Testament. He goes old school because their sin is old school. He equates them to the rebellious Israelites (Num 14:22-23, 29-30, 35,37; Jude 5), the renegade angels (Gen 6:1-5; Ezek 28:14-17; Jude 6), and the Twin Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:20-33; 19:1-14, 23-28; Jude 7). But wait, there’s more. Sexual sin, authority rejected, and dignitaries dissed (Jude 8). They don’t know when to shut up (Jude10). Jude flips back into the OT one more time for terrible triple play. In verse 11, he says they’re just like Cain, the first killer (Gen 4:1-15), Balaam, the profitable prophet (Num 22-25), and Korah, the rebel leader (Num 16). You see, their sin is of biblical proportions.

Jude doesn’t stop there. He uses a maritime image by calling these con artists “wild waves of the sea” (v13). They aren’t gently lapping ripples you hear when you’re snoozing in your beach chair. The original Geek text here describes a savage, violent storm surge. This is the fury of the sea unleashed. Have you ever witness the unrelenting fury of a hurricane? It’s absolutely terrifying. The brutal winds drive the surf over the dunes. Wicked waves hammer everything in their path. The false teachers hit town with huge promises of of how their message builds up. In the end, all they door is destroy. Jesus’ little brother isn’t the first one to draw this comparison. About 700 years before, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt” (Is 57:20). The surf is definitely up. But the good news is that Christ can calm any storm.

Look up from the stormy sea to the night sky. These hucksters are just like “wandering stars” (v13). Sounds kind of romantic, doesn’t it? Well, take a closer look. The false teachers are shooting stars. They’re meteors that light up the sky and then disappear. They’re like fireworks exploding which only flame out. You know the kind of people he’s talking about. They ignite put on a dazzling show for a moment but fizzle out with no positive and lasting impact. There for a moment. Gone forever. Like a falling star. This is in huge contrast to Jesus who is the Light of the World (Jn 8:12; 9:5). He never goes out. As a matter of fact, our Savior will personally be the source of light in the New Jerusalem. “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Rev 21:23). Jesus never flames out.

Jude lets us know that after these false teachers burn up on reentry, they’re eventually headed for hell. “For whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever” (v13). Maybe eternal torment and damnation isn’t what he’s talking about. Maybe our buddy Jude is just turning out the lights on them. First of all, there’s the “gloom.” This is the Greek word zophos. It means thick darkness, blackness, and a condition of darkness with feelings of despair and foreboding. Then we read “darkness” (Gr. skotos). It also means the absence of light. Paul used it when writing of the utter blanket of absolute darkness before God created light (2Cor 4:6). The phrase “the gloom of darkness” literally means “the utter blackness of complete darkness.” Jude’s trying to describe the fearful darkness of eternal, conscious punishment. I’m not sure if these con artists are afraid of the dark. But they should be. They will be. Hell is hot. Forever is a long time. It’s also very, very dark.

Don’t worry. Jesus will handle these shysters. He’ll calm the storm. He’ll provide eternal light. And he’ll flip off the switch on the false teachers. Forever.

God's Voice REALLY Carries

“We ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (v18-19).

Pete tells us why being an eyewitness to the Transfiguration was such a big deal. It wasn’t to brag to friends at parties. It wasn’t to score a huge movie or book deal. He says that it allowed the inner circle to be absolutely and totally sure of the God’s voice. When Peter, James and John talk about hearing from God, we can take it to the bank that they know what they’re talking about. 

The apostle reassures his readers that they weren’t just eyewitnesses but “earwitnesses” at the mountaintop meet up. “We ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain” (v18). They saw Jesus’ appearance dazzle and glow as He gave the boys a sneak peek of what was to come. But they also heard the booming Voice of God delivering His supernatural “attaboy” the universe as a proud Papa. “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased” (1:17). They know what they saw. They know what they heard. “We were with Him” (v18)! And the boys heard the Father’s voice echo straight from the heavenly throne room. The Dad’s announcement was “borne from heaven” (v18). The language here describes how God the Father’s voice carries. It’s the verb phero, which means to carry forward. While He sometimes uses a still, small voice. Just ask Elijah (1Ki 19:12). But there are times when Jesus’ Dad uses His outside voice. How loud is it? He cranks it up to 11. And it reverberates from heaven. His voice REALLY carries!

Pete goes on to write that because of all they saw and heard at the Transfiguration, “we have something more sure, the prophetic word” (v19). This “prophetic word” is the whole of Scripture. The apostle makes that clear down in verse 20. We call some books the major and minor prophets. But we need to remember that God prophetically inspired every book of the Bible. Because he’s hearing from God, every biblical author is a prophet. We can be sure that Scripture is anything but a “non prophet” organization. The former fisherman’s letting us know that what they witnessed on the mountain confirmed everything they’ve heard in God’s Word and God’s Word confirmed everything they saw at the summit. The Transfiguration is the supernatural stamp of approval on what God has delivered on the pages of Scripture. Pete uses the Greek adjective bebaios. It means reliable, well-founded, confirmed and verified. God’s Word is legit. Rely on it. Count on it. It’s verified. It’s bona fide.

Don’t forget the whole reason Pete is writing. He’s booting out the snake oil salesmen that have infiltrated numerous churches (2:1). He says forget what those hucksters are selling. It’s all lies. Smoke and mirrors. Instead know that everything they’ve read in the Old Testament and all they’ve heard and received from the apostles is legit. It’s reliable. It’s confirmed. It’s verified. And the same goes for us. It’s a shame when a church is filled with people who don’t bring their Bibles. Don’t just take the preacher at face value. Do what the boys in Berea did. They not only devoured what the Apostle Paul taught them, but were “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Don’t just blindly take what somebody else says about God’s Word. Check it for yourself. It’s reliable. It’s confirmed. It’s verified. It’s legit.

Pete encourages us to trust in Scripture until Jesus makes His spectacular encore. “You will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns” (v19). In other words, once Jesus headed home to heaven, we’re living “in a dark place.” We’re living in a fallen world. Don’t forget that our Savior encourages to shine His light like “a city set on a hill” (Mt 5:14-16). Let’s be light shiners until He returns. And the apostle wants us to know without a shadow of a doubt that Christ is coming again. Once the reality of His return is part of our lens of life, then “the morning star rises in your hearts” (v19). 

We can take it to the bank because of everything they experienced on that mountain. Jesus is God. Scripture is true. Christ is coming back. It’s reliable. It’s confirmed. It’s legit. All because God’s voice REALLY carries!

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee!

For anything that becomes visible is light.  Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you" (Eph 5:14).

Why do I get my best sleep right before the alarm goes off?  I may toss and turn all night long, but there’s nothing like those last few minutes of sweet slumber before my clock/radio so rudely interrupts me.  The temptation each morning is to hit the snooze button and roll back over and catch a few more zzz’s.  But I know if I do, I’ll be in trouble.  BIG trouble.  I need to wake up.  NOW.  In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul flips on the lights and sends a wake up call for believers there.  “For anything that becomes visible is light.  Therefore it says, ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you’” (v14).  Get up!  Wake up, sleepy head!  Don’t hit the snooze button and roll back over.  Open your eyes and realize what’s going on.  Understand the reality of the situation.  The bad is a whole lot worse than you realize.  The good is a so much better than you understand.  

Wake up and smell the coffee! 

The apostle is wrapping up a section where he talks about what it looks like to “be imitators of God” (Eph 5:1) and to “walk as children of light” (Eph 5:8).  His big point here is to live in the light (pun VERY much intended!) of the reality of what Jesus has done for us.  We used to stumble around in pitch dark (Eph 5:8).  Then Jesus, the Light of the World, kicked on the spiritual switch in our lives.  Whatever you do, don’t walk back into the dark!  Don’t turn off the lights and walk back into the darkness of your sinful lifestyle.  As a matter of fact, use that light to lovingly and gently show others their own blind spots (Eph 5:11).  Light helps us see the reality of the situation.  Don’t roll back over.  Get up!  Open your eyes!

Wake up and smell the coffee!

You’ll notice that this verse is set apart with a little indentation in your Bible.  What’s up with that?  Well, Paul is probably quoting the lyrics of one of the hit praise and worship songs of the first century.  Someone has taken the ancient and inspired words of Isaiah 60:1-2 and paraphrased them and put them to music.  Just like your pastor might quote something written by Hillsong United to make a point, the apostle drops a line from one of his favorite worship tunes.  The man from Tarsus repeatedly uses songs, poems and pop culture to tell folks about Jesus.  He did it in Athens on Mars Hill (Acts 17:28).  And he’s doing it again.

Flip back to Isaiah for just a minute.  This prophet’s pen absolutely drips with the Good News.  Kinda like talk of the Fifth Beatle, some folks describe this OT book as the Fifth Gospel.  Ike is absolutely obsessed with God’s promise of Messiah.  If Isaiah 53 isn’t talking about Jesus, who else could it be?  Check out Isaiah 60:1-2.  “Arise, shine, for the light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you...the LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you.”  These are the verses that inspired some first century worship leader to write these lyrics.  And part of that is to connect the dots between what Isaiah predicted and what God fulfilled in Christ.  Paul gives that his personal and apostolic stamp of approval.  He confirms that Isaiah was 100% correct when he was writing about Jesus!  What a great reminder that the entire Bible is about the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth.  He is THE Hero of THE Story.  

Paul tells each of us to “awake” (v14).  This is the Greek verb egeiro, which means to wake up, rouse, rise, stand up and pay attention.  There’s an urgency to it.  There’s an immediacy to it.  Open your eyes!  And I mean NOW!  When Jesus’ posse freaked as He snoozed in the boat during the big storm, “they went and woke (Gr. egeiro) Him” (Mt 8:25).  He needed to wake up RIGHT NOW!!  And it’s the very same word Christ uses to describe stone cold corpses brought back to life.  The Lord sent His boys out to “heal the sick, raise (Gr. egeiro) the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons” (Mt 10:8).  Jesus predicted His own spectacular comeback when He told the religious hardliners, “Destroy this temple, and in three days, I will raise (Gr. egeiro) it up” (Jn 2:19).  An angel is a shiny white suit broke the news to the women that looking for Jesus in the graveyard is a waste of time.  “He’s not here; He has been raised (Gr. egeiro)” (Mt 28:6).

The lyrics of the praise song shake the shoulders of someone fast asleep, “O sleeper” (v14).  The terminology here tells us that they aren’t just resting their eyes and taking a power nap.  They’re snoozing.  Out cold.  REM sleep.  Matt uses this description of sleepy time too when writing about Jesus’ adoptive dad-to-be Joe sawing serious zzz’s when God’s messenger tells him what to do in a dream (Mt 1:24).  The term tells of such a deep sleep that it’s also used for folks who are dead (1Th 4:15; 5:10).  Before God got involved, I was dead (Eph 2:1).  It’s what Raymond Chandler called “The Big Sleep.”  The dirt nap.  But because of His grace, I’m now alive and awake (Eph 2:4-5).  Wake up, sleepy head!

If you any have doubts about this imagery of sleep as death, Paul makes that clear when he writes, “Arise from the dead” (v14).  He uses the Greek term nekros, meaning something lifeless.  A corpse.  A stiff.  It’s where we get the prefix “nerco-” in words like necrophilia and necropsy.  The apostle isn’t just shaking the shoulders of napping friend.  He’s pounding on a closed coffin.  Kinda gross, huh?  But it gets his point across, doesn’t it?  Only Jesus has the life-giving power to pull off that kind of miracle.  Just ask Lazarus when you see him (Jn 11:38-44).

Paul desperately wants his readers (and that includes you and me!) to wake up and smell the coffee.  For unbelievers, it’s time to open your eyes to who Jesus is and what He’s done.  You can’t save yourself.  Only He can.  Please wake up!  And for those of us who call ourselves His followers, it’s time to open our eyes wide to the reality of the oh so abundant life (Jn 10:10).  Wake up to what He’s given you!  “The hour has come for you to wake up from your sleep.  For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rom 13:11).  Wake up and understand the desperate situation of those around us!  “Let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober” (1Th 5:6).  Get up!  Wake up, sleepy head!  Don’t hit the snooze button and roll back over.  Open your eyes and realize what’s going on.  Understand the reality of the situation.  The bad is a whole lot worse than you realize.  The good is a so much better than you understand.  

Wake up and smell the coffee! 

So what do you think?  Yes, I'm talkin' to YOU!  Agree or disagree?  Drop a comment below. I would love to hear from you.