Wednesday 23^rd January

John 13:1-17

Today we are carrying on with the theme of humble adoration towards a God who delights not only in our worshipful daily living but also in our intimate moments with Him. Sitting at the feet of Jesus, as shown by Mary in yesterday’s passage, indicates a submissive and grateful heart. In today’s passage the significance of feet comes into the spotlight again, yet with a different perspective. We take today’s reading from John 13.

John describes this scene wonderfully as starts off with Jesus’ heart for His disciples. Verse 1 paints a picture of the love that Jesus had for them during His ministry and now as His time on Earth neared its end, He would show (continue to show) them the full extent of His love by laying down His life for them and ultimately the whole world. Keep that thought in your mind as we explore the following verses.

Jesus in verse 3 knew who He was. He knew His identity as the Son of God and He knew His mission, to return to the Father. He knew that all authority was given to Him whilst He was on the Earth. Then, in act of complete shock to the disciples, Jesus who had just had His feet anointed with an expensive fragrant perfume, takes off His robe, wraps a towel around His waist and fills a bowl of water to proceed in the washing of the disciple’s feet. Hold on a minute…. This is Jesus, the Son of God. This is the Christ, the Messiah and He wants to wash the feet of His disciples? In Jesus’ time the tradition was, upon entering someone’s house for dinner, to remove your sandals and have your feet washed by their servant to remove the dust from the roads and paths. This significant act was mostly reserved for the servant of the house yet we see Jesus, the King of Kings, take the role of a servant and start washing their feet.

Notice that Jesus got up from the table to wash their feet. This has significance because it means that they were about to or had already starting eating together if they were all sat around the table. So the question to ask here is why did they not wash each other’s feet as soon as they entered the house? Most probably, without reading too much in the text, because simply it was not a common practice to wash the feet of your peers. This was reserved for the servant of the house. Since there was no servant, Jesus took that role on and humbled Himself and starting washing their feet. What an amazing picture of a servant hearted humble God. Philippians chapter 2 also tells us of Jesus’ servant heartedness when it says that “He emptied Himself, made Himself of no reputation and took on the form a servant/slave.”

If that is not enough to convince you of Jesus’ humility look at who was in the midst of their company; Judas, the betrayer, who had already been prompted to plan Jesus’ betrayal. Jesus washed all the disciple’s feet (verse 13) and it is most probable that Judas was included in this. What grace it took to wash the feet of His betrayer, knowing in a few hours He would be hanging on the cross because of him.

Jesus’ love for us was at the very root of His mission. Jesus’ mission was orientated around humility. For in humility He served the world by giving His life for all. However Jesus’ washing of His disciple’s feet has more significance that just being a humble act of kindness from the Creator of the universe. We will explore the next few verses in tomorrows study.

This is our God, the Servant King

Tuesday 22^nd January

Luke 10:38-40, John 12:1-8, Luke 7:36-50

Our primary text today is Luke 10:38-40, however the other passages noted above will be looked at in comparison to this story. Jesus, in Luke 10, has just finished telling the Pharisees and Scribes who their neighbours are and how getting lost in God’s service is irrelevant if they are not putting it into practice in their daily lives. Knowing God’s Word in thought is not enough if we are not living it out in our everyday deeds of ‘Good Works’. Jesus emphasised in His parable that it was those who were supposed to be scholars of God’s Word were the ones that walked past the beaten man on the floor.

In the next verses, 38-40, Jesus adds a new dimension to this teaching. This story is of Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus. Martha welcomed Jesus into her house, most probably for food and fellowship. The passage tells us that Martha busied herself in preparing for and serving Jesus. The word specifically used in verse 40 is ‘distracted’ (herself with much serving.)  

Martha’s sister however was doing the opposite. Instead making herself busy she simply sat at the feet of Jesus and heard His words. Martha challenged Jesus to rebuke the apparent slothful sister, yet Jesus rather than rebuke her, commended her. In fact Jesus highlights that Martha’s need for serving Him, caused her to be troubled and worried and miss who was in her house. Mary on the other hand, knew that Jesus’ Words were life, an everlasting stream of wisdom and grace. Jesus is highlighting here not that serving is wrong or un-necessary but rather that the attitude of worship and adoration was and is priority over getting lost ‘doing’ in the Kingdom of God.

I want to reiterate that Jesus is not saying that serving Him is not important or that we should be idle in our worship to God. On the contrary, it is in the acts of service to God that we are worshipping Him, both in a church context and also in our everyday lives. The point of this story is much the same as seen in our church lives across the world. The essence is this; so often we get lost in ‘doing things’ for His Kingdom and for Him, that we loose focus in who we are serving and the art of just sitting at His feet in His presence. How much time in your life do you just sit at the feet of Jesus, in worship and adoration, listening to His voice and soaking in His presence?

There are two other examples I wanted to pick up on of the attitude of serving at Jesus’ feet. They may or may not be the same person, however the act of service to Jesus is still in submission to His authority and Deity. The first is in John’s gospel. This woman’s act of submission to Jesus is both a prophetic symbolism for His future burial but also a sacrifice of costly perfume (approximately a years wage). She humbly anointed her Master’s feet in an act of service and submission, adoration and worship.

The next example is found in the seventh chapter of Luke. Again a sinful woman realising the presence of a Gracious God, humbly washes with her tears and kisses Jesus’ feet in an act of total submission. His feet most probably dirty and dusty, proved of little relevance to this grateful woman.

What is the significance of these three passages? Simply the acknowledgement of One who is greater than themselves. What response did they have? To humbly sit, anoint, wash and kiss the feet of their Saviour. They knew that both Jesus’ words and presence were far greater than getting lost in service to Him rather than serving Him and sitting at His feet. Submission, humility and love were all key characteristics of these women. Our attitudes should be the same as these women; for it is only in this attitude that we can have an intimate relationship with the Saviour.

“For who loves much, is forgiven much….” (Luke 7:47)

Saturday 20^th January

Part of this talk today is taken from a message I heard from a man called Ray Comfort. He shares a talk on using the 10 commandments as a means of evangelism. It’s a great talk and part of what I share will come from it as I wanted to share it with you all too.

Imagine for a moment if a police officer randomly came to you and said “your 20,000 speeding fine has been paid. You free to go but be careful next time”. Your response would be “well I didn’t get a speeding fine, what are you talking about it”. You immediately dismiss what he is saying and call him a lunatic. Ok, well what if the police officer came to you as said, “you were clocked driving at 60mph through a strict 15mph zone. You damaged state property therefore you are being fined 20,000 pound”. Your reaction would most probably be a sheepish one, after you have just been presented with clear evidence of what you have done wrong. Then what if the officer then says “your fine has been paid, you are free to go!”. Your reaction to his kindness would be far more appreciated because you now know what you are have been saved from.

 The thing is unless you know what you are being saved from, the act of being saved seems less relevant and less meaningful. If you don’t know what you have been saved from, when tough times come you will easily fall over and be overcome by your problems; for your security comes not in the saving power of Christ but in temporary ‘life satisfaction’. If you know that there is One who has given His all for you and saved you from being an enemy of God and eternal judgement, then when tough times do come, your feet will be on solid ground because you know that the One who saved you, gave His all for you and will uphold you with His strong right hand.

Paul in Romans 5 comments on the value of Jesus’ death. When He gave His all for you and me. He compares the act of kindness in Christ’s sacrificial death to that of a righteous man or a good man. He asks whether someone would die for a righteous man, then asks would someone die for a good man? Taking someone’s place in death is a sacrifice many would absolutely refuse. Yet it would almost be conceivable if we knew that Christ died for all the righteous people in the world that deserved His atonement. It would almost be conceivable if they were at least good. Yet the truth is that when Christ died for us, we were all sinners and didn’t deserve His atoning sacrificial death. Romans 5:8 says that “God demonstrated His love towards us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Praise God. Jesus paid the price that we didn’t deserve with His life. Why? To save us from being enemies of God and from eternal judgement. What is our response? Accepting what He has done. It is the acceptance and knowledge of what Christ has done and the fact that He has paid the price for us, that we find strength to get through tough times and a foundation to keep us standing.

Fridays 18^th January

John 8: 1-11

Jesus was the only sinless human being to walk on the face of Plant Earth; and the only person that will ever will be sinless. This thought provoking and challenging scripture passage we will study together highlights both the fallen nature of humans, the supremacy and perfection of Jesus Christ and the gracious love of God incarnate. Excited…well let’s take a look.

This story starts in the first few verses of John chapter 8. Some have argued that verses 1 – 11 were not in the original Greek Manuscripts however it has been commonly agreed that this story did happen and therefore passed the canonical inclusion into John’s gospel. So we come to verse 1 where Jesus returns to the Mount of Olives. Jesus, the following day, goes straight to the temple and begins to teach the crowd that was forming. Suddenly in the midst of the congregation the Scribes and Pharisees rushed in brining a woman that was caught in the very act of adultery. Trying to catch Jesus out they reminded Him that Moses’ laws says that if someone was caught in adultery then they would have the right to stone them. (Interestingly this is taken from Deuteronomy 22 and includes that the man also should be punished in the same way).

The Pharisees thought they had Jesus in a good place. They knew that Jesus was a radical teacher due to His revolutionised teaching about the Sabbath day. So they thought if Jesus let the woman go, then they could definitely catch Him out because the evidence against this adulteress woman was conclusive and the law was clear about the consequence. They also knew Jesus’ love for the sinners and His association with them but even they would have been angered if Jesus let this obvious sin slide by without rebuke or punishment. Then they would also have know that the Romans would have got involved if He had agreed to this capital punishment for they believed that it was only their right to execute people. So what does Jesus do?? …Writes on the ground and ignores them (verse 6,7).

Although there are many speculations as to what Jesus was writing, His words in verse 7 make it evidently clear what was in His heart. “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first”. What a radical, wise and wonderful statement. In one sentence Jesus silences His critics and shows the Father’s grace at the same time. When God’s words are spoken it almost causes us to question our heart and our consciences are convicted. Who remained standing after searching their hearts? No-one, why? Because everyone present, had no right to throw a stone because they were all guilty of sin. Who was the only one left standing? Jesus, why? Because He was the only one without sin. He was the only one who could justly punish the woman for her sin, yet in His infinite mercy, forgives and sends the woman away, commanding her to sin no more “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

This act of kindness shows that God is a merciful and gracious Judge. He had all authority given to Him by the Father yet He chose to love her and at the same time convict her condemner’s.  However this is not to say that Jesus was oblivious of her sin and discounted it or even closer still, nor is He oblivious of our sin. He forgave yes but also commanded her to sin no more. Let us not take God’s grace for granted and use it to live a reckless and sinful life but rather let God’s forgiveness change and transform our lives, so that we no longer live with our sinful attitudes but are radically changed to become more like Him. This also stands as a reminder that we are not to judge other’s for we are all with sin. Jesus’ has reserved that right for Himself only as He is without sin.

“Let Him without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7) 

Thursday 17^th January

Philippians 4:5-7

A woman once said to me, after I had complained that I was walking slowly due to my broken leg, that I should consider the blessing of having more time to observe God’s creation and smell the roses in the gardens. What a wonderful statement of faith and acknowledgement of God’s blessings even in the hard times. See God’s grace helps us recognise His beauty and His blessing even when we feel like there is no hope in the midst of our desert. He has lavished His love on us that whatever stands in our way, although difficult at the time, will be washed away by His infinite gracious Hands. God’s desire is that we may glorify Him in whatever situation we are found in. Again it is not to say that we will not face testing times but rather that understanding our position in Christ helps us to re-evaluate our attitudes knowing that every step we take, Jesus is right by our side.

Paul in today’s verses also encourages us not to become anxious or worried about situations we face but to place our trust in the Father’s loving Hands.  He starts off in verse 4 by encouraging the church of Philippi to rejoice in every circumstance. Paul believes this to be of much importance, so in typical Biblical fashion in sections of great importance, he repeats himself and says ‘again I say rejoice’. (Rejoicing doesn’t always mean we should walk about with a smile on our face but it’s an attitude of knowing God’s peace in our circumstance). However if you are like me then you would probably find this hard and feel like Paul is being unreasonable. Rejoice always? Do you know what I am going through? Well if that is you…STOP right there. Paul is not just saying this statement with a blasé and unrealistic approach to life, he is living this out in his own life because he has personally found that whatever situation he has been in, he has learnt to be content and rejoice in the Lord (verse 11-13), because he knew Christ was with him. In fact this very letter was most probably written deep down in the Roman prisons.

This may still seem a far shout I hear you say? That was ok for him but where is God in my situation? Lets look at verse 6. Paul again commands the believers not be anxious for anything or worried about everything. He simply states that all our needs, problems and desires should always be presented to God in prayer, with thanksgiving knowing that He is above our problems and is more than able to help.

There are 5 words, which I feel should belong to verse 6 instead of verse 5. “The Lord is at hand”. Now read the beginning of verse 6. If the Lord is hand in our circumstance then what cause do we have to worry about our situations? Paul describes this Fatherly care in such a way that we can only be humbled that an Almighty Creator God who has a store for the snow in the Heavens, whose Eyes light up the expanse of the skies, would care about my personal problems. In fact in verse 7 Paul puts the icing on the cake. When we present our needs before Almighty God, knowing that He is at hand, not only does He promise to answer but He gives us His perfect peace that transcends all human understanding, to guide us through our circumstances. His love and peace guard our hearts from thoughts of anxiety, fear and worry. This is how we see God’s blessings through hard times. Knowing that His grace fills our hearts with peace and that He is right there with us, holding our hands, guiding and fighting for us. What a great picture of Father God.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..” verse 13

Wednesday 16^th January

Matthew 25:1-13

As we read yesterday, in one of the parables in Jesus’ Olivet discourse, the King (Jesus) will soon come again and take His bride (the Church) to be with Him at His wedding banquet. We learnt that no-one knows the time when He will return but it’s in the preparation that we are to be equipped and ready.

There is however, another significant lesson that can be learnt to complete the understanding of this wonderful parable. Let’s draw our attention to the reaction of the 5 foolish virgins upon hearing the announcement that the groom was coming and the procession would soon be with them.

We read in verse 7 that all the virgins upon awakening, immediately set to prepare themselves for the coming procession by filling their lamps with oil. The problem was that the 5 foolish virgins didn’t bring enough to re-light their lamps. Now watch their reactions in verse 8. They ask the 5 wise virgins for more oil as theirs will soon go out. The problem that lies here is that if the 5 wise virgins were to give their oil away then there literally wouldn’t be enough for all 10 of them to make their journey. In other words, simply put, the 5 wise virgins could not spare any of their oil.

At a first glance, their reaction could be deemed selfish but actually when you think it about it, it’s common sense. You can’t always share with others what you do not have. The simple thing for the 5 foolish women was to go to the shop and buy some more. However we read in verse 10, that while they were out, the groom came and they were locked out of the wedding banquet.

 The lesson I want to highlight from the foolish virgins attitudes, is their reliance on the wise virgins. They expected that they would be able to use the wise virgins resource. Instead of being ready themselves they thought that they could rely on the others. Yet the fact is that they couldn’t and they were left to face the consequence of their own unprepared actions.

 The truth is today that we too so often rely on others for our salvation or to feed us the milk we think we need. We still are on the weaning stages in our walk with Christ and our reliance on others takes away the needs of our own preparations and self-searching. The truth is, much like the 5 foolish virgins, is that when the time comes to be counted in joining in with the Bridal procession, your own preparations will leave you wanting if you have relied on some one else bringing extra oil. The decisions that we make in our lives determine our walk with God. We can’t rely on others to get us in the Kingdom, (although that doesn’t mean that we should stop praying for those who are not saved), our relationship with God is something that is personal, precious and requires a lifetime of self-seeking to prepare our hearts for the coming Groom. Don’t live a comfortable life spending your resources on worldly and material possessions, neglecting your Spiritual investments and relying on others to drag you into the Kingdom of God. Rather invest your resources into your own life first making sure that you are ready for Christ’s return (again this is not say that we should not pray or help others but the emphasis is on self preparation first!).

“But if the servant is evil and thinks ‘My Master wont be back for a while’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying and getting drunk? The Master will soon return unannounced and unexpected, ……. and assign him a place with the hypocrites.” Matthew 25:48-50 (NLT)

Be ready…Search your own Heart!

Tuesday 15^th January

Matthew 25:1-13

This wonderful passage in Matthew 25 stands as the authoritative Word of God, highlighting that no-one (not even the Mayans) know when Jesus will come back to take His bride to be with Him for eternity. What we do know is that He is coming and we have to be ready. Join with me as we study this glorious parable.

Jesus starts this parable with the common imagery of a Jewish wedding. His audience (the disciples) were more than familiar with the ‘wedding scenario’ and almost knew what to expect from this story. However Jesus used this picture of a wedding to highlight an important principle, of how He viewed His relationship with the ‘church’. So Jesus begins to describe the wedding procession that the 10 virgins were waiting for. Traditionally in the Jewish wedding feast, the bride would wait for the groom in her house. The groom would go to the bride’s house, where he would ask permission to marry his fiancé and pay a dowry for her. Then the wedding party would start a procession to the groom’s house where a large feast would take place and depending on the wealth of the groom, could take up to a week to end.

The procession usually took place at midnight hence the lamps/torches in this story. They would commonly be an oil-based lamp attached to a pole and held up. So back to the story. We have 10 virgins who are awaiting this procession back from the bride’s house. Now its important to note that at this point Jesus doesn’t differentiate between them, at this point they all looked the same. The difference comes only in verse 2 when it’s stated that 5 were wise (bringing extra oil) and the other 5 foolish (not bringing extra oil).

The groom is delayed and the tired virgins fall asleep. They are awoken by a loud shout announcing the arrival of the groom. Notice that the groom in verse 6 comes unexpectedly. The virgins were supposed to be ready and waiting but instead they all got caught in their slumber and almost missed the procession. Yet the emphasis of this parable is not the suddenness of the groom’s arrival but the unprepared 5 foolish virgins who missed out on the procession due the fact that they were away purchasing more oil. They had forgot or missed the obvious element in preparing for a midnight procession. They had the torch, they had the attire but they forgot the oil for their lamp. They were simply unprepared for the grooms return from the bride’s house.

The turning point in this story that defined the identity of the virgins was in the preparations they had put into the wedding feast. On face value they were all the same. They all fell asleep waiting for the groom. The defining moment was when the situation revealed their foolishness in not bringing extra oil. The sadness of the situation is that they missed out on the wedding banquet. Yet the truth of this parable is in verse 12. Their foolishness not only meant they missed on the banquet but were disgraced when the groom turned and said he did not know them.

The concluding statement in verse 13 summarises the point of this parable. Be ready,  for no-one knows when the groom (Jesus) will return to take His bride (the Church). The challenge is not in the waiting but in the preparation of His return. All the virgins fell asleep whilst waiting yet only 5 were commended for being prepared for the return of the groom. So it is with us. We know Jesus will return, yet instead of waiting idly, our focus and efforts should be made to be ready and prepared for His return. Is your heart ready to receive the coming King and join in with the procession of the saints to our Heavenly home or will you be rejected and not recognised on the momentous day? 

Monday 14^th January

Proverbs 15:1-2, Psalm 19:14

“Saruman believes that it’s only great power that can hold evil in check but that is not what I have found. I have found that it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love.”

The above extract is taken from the recent film release ‘The Hobbit’. It is the kind of line that stuns you and takes you into deep thought. A line you don’t expect to hear in a secular film. The simple truth of this statement stands as a testament to all believers. Of course ultimately it is Christ in us that gives us victory over sin and evil (for Christ’s power is un-rivalled and comprehensively defeated the enemy), yet it is in our everyday acts of kindness that evil in this dark world is overcome. You don’t have to be the most gifted evangelist or knowledgeable scholar to stand against evil. Evil is defeated by simple acts of kindness and love (which of course are an outworking of Christ in us). Let us expand on this in the first of our verses today, Proverbs 15:1-2.

The writer of Proverbs here identifies the simple ingredient to overcoming evil; the power of gentle and kind words. It says in verse 1 that a gentle answer turns away wrath. How many times have you found yourself in a situation where you have discerned the tension levels are beginning to mount and could explode at anytime? Then someone speaks a kind and gentle word and almost immediately the situation is diffused. Why? Because it is in the simple acts of kindness and love that evil is defeated. Words hold authority and the tongue, power. Used foolishly it adds kindle to a fire, yet used with wisdom anger is deflected. God’s words in us hold power and authority. These words can change lives, edify, uplift, encourage and overcome evil. Of course it is only God’s words in us and through us that holds power. In our strength our words are as foolishness, even though sometimes with good intent. So the question that now stands is, are God’s words in us?

David in Psalm 19 highlights the importance of dwelling on God’s word. He says that Law of the Lord brings joy, revives the soul, is sweeter than honey and gives insight for living. Yet it is not only in the mere reading of His words that our lives are transformed but in the indwelling of His words into the depths of heart. Food would be useless if it were not digested into our bodies. It would bring temporary pleasure and satisfaction but would be of no use to our bodies. This is much the same with God’s words. To gain the fullness of God’s word we must be meditating and digesting on it if we are to expect true transformation in our lives from the inside out. The fullness of His words are then lived out in our lives and when the time comes, when a wise or kind word needs to be spoken, instead of our own resources of self coming out, God’s words in us flow out like a river, showering evil with God’s goodness. The discipline is to let the “words of our mouths and the meditation of hearts be pleasing to our Lord and Redeemer.” Let the simple acts of kindness and love, as shown to you by Christ Jesus, be reflected in your own life through your good works and WORDS.

Friday 11^th January

Luke 10:25-37 

Jesus loved a good parable. His parables were relatable stories, told to express divine Heavenly messages. His stories were so creative and very often, left hearts encouraged, convicted and sometimes even confused. Yet this is one of the few parables that concludes with the hearer being questioned and ultimately understanding (hopefully) Kingdom principles.

A young lawyer came to Jesus to out smart Him concerning eternal life. Jesus, in typical Jewish dialogue, answers the question with a question. His asks this young man what his understanding of law is. Jesus applauds the young lawyers answer of loving God and loving his neighbour as himself. Jesus sends him away and tells him that if he does these things (a continual command), then he too will inherit eternal life. The young lawyer meaning to prove himself just and righteous responds with yet another question…Who is my neighbour?

Jesus then tells the familiar story of the Good Samaritan; a Jewish man beaten by thieves, ignored by a Priest and Levite and eventually helped by a Samaritan. The Samaritan pours his own resource and time into this situation of a half dead Jew, takes him to a doctor and pays all his medical fees. Jesus finishes the parable with this question. Who is the Jewish mans neighbour?? The young lawyer answers correctly again and says the one who showed mercy. Jesus for the final time sends him away with the command to go and do likewise.

Of course an important thing to highlight is that the neighbour of the Jewish man in this story was a Samaritan man, whom as we know were not supposed to socialise with each other, let alone help each other. Yet Jesus specifically uses this example to highlight His radical teachings on comfortableness. Jesus’ audience would most probably have been Jew’s and this teaching would have been highly controversial. Yet Jesus is indicating that in order to love your neighbour you sometimes have to step outside the boundaries of your own comfort. Notice the two who walked by the injured Jewish man were supposed to be the ones who should have, in a heartbeat helped him. You could understand if the Levite and Priest walked passed a Samaritan injured on the floor yet Jesus highlights that it was the Samaritan man who helped the Jew. Prejudices and cultural boundaries and turned upside down here. Jesus challenges the young lawyer to not only love God, but to put God’s love into practice with those who he would not usually socialise or interact with. In other words Jesus is saying that he should not only love his own but love outside his comfort zone. And in turn by doing this he will gain eternal life (and of course with loving God as number one priority).

It is much the same in our modern Western world. We are so quick to help people of our own social standing or those within our comfort zones, but we too are challenged to break through our comfort boundaries and reach out to those we might not usually speak to or socialise with. This is an outworking of Christ in us. Even in a church context we sometimes only sit with people we know or like but imagine what a picture it would send out to the world if we would challenge ourselves to put love into practice with those we are not ‘socially’ supposed to speak to. Jesus’ challenge remains for us today. Love your neighbour (everyone) as yourself knowing we are loved much by God.

“Faith without works is dead” James 2:17

Thursday 10^th January

Psalm 139:23-24, John 1:4-9

The role of the sun is both the give warmth and light. I love the sun. We are best friends. I love the warmth that it brings throughout the year and I especially love seeing a beautiful clear blue sky with the sun being the main attraction. Yet there are some who don’t like the sun. They do their best to stay away from it’s rays. Yet the reality is that there are very few places you can go during the sun’s high time, where you will not feel the suns warmth or light. However if you were to lock yourself in a dark room with no windows and outside the sun was in its full glory, if there was even one tiny small crack in the room you were in, the light would expose the darkness.

Jesus in John 1 is described as this light; a light that exposes darkness. Yet there are many who could not comprehend the light, rejected it and try to hide away from it. However because Jesus was the all seeing light, those who tried to run from His light rather had their sin exposed instead. Take the Samaritan woman at the well; she tried to hide from the light, yet Jesus exposed her adulteress sins. Or how about the rich man, who came to Jesus professing his righteousness in following all the 10 commandments since his youth, Jesus too exposed his love for money and an unwillingness to give it up for the sake of following Him. Or the strongest example of all, Judas Iscariot; his deceiving desires to help the poor and needy fooled the disciples but Jesus saw straight through and discerned a corrupt and treacherous heart and exposed it at the Last Supper.

The difference with a dark room and us, is that there is no-where we can hide. God’s fiery eyes see right into our souls. We can ‘deceive’ our brothers and sisters but we can’t deceive our Creator. Jesus’ light searches into the deepest depths of our hearts. We must however have an attitude like David. He knew that in his heart there was wrongdoing yet in his desire for purity he pleads with God to remove the things exposed by His light, so that his path may continue towards everlasting life with God Himself. This must be the same as our attitudes. Knowing God’s light exposes our sin is not enough. We must be like David and ask God to remove things that His light exposes, not hide away and cling on to the things that sever our communion with the Father.

God’s light is like the sun’s rays. We may have an old dusty table by the window. We may try to clean it with our spray or polish. Yet as soon as we open the curtain and let the sunlight in, there is dust on the table. Did the light bring the dust?? No. It merely exposed the dust. This is the same with our relationship with God and His exposing light. We may think that there are areas in our lives that don’t need cleaning or that we think we have already cleaned, but God’s light exposes the sin in the depths of our hearts. Our response to that light can be to hide away or to humbly submit to a Holy God in forgiveness and repentance knowing that your decision will determine your “eternal path” (Psalm 139:24).

God desires that His light may not just expose our sin and lead us into repentance but also that we might know His love more towards us. He desires that we give every part of ourselves to Him, just as He gave everything for us.