by Pastor Peter Bean
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What to make of these verses? Not the most wonderful reading in the Bible. It started off well with hospitality shown by Lot. But it quickly degenerated into all sorts of terrible things: sexual immorality, betrayal of family, disbelief, tardiness, warnings ignored, ingratitude. And, as we read on, there is more.
What do we do with all of this? Of course, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and become judgemental of actions and inactions, groups and individuals. And don’t we do that? Sorry, I’ll let you answer that for yourself. For myself, yes, I do jump to conclusions. I do make judgements. I do look down on people. Lord, have mercy.
And the Lord does. Even when we think we have more time to prepare. Even when we joke about what God might do. Even when we are inhospitable. Even when we condemn!
I guess, here, in these verses, we have a good description of human nature. Thoughts and actions are described that can lead us away from God. Even when God is present – in our face, if you like – even when God is clear, and we can hear the voice of the Spirit guiding us. (Did you know that, in the Hebrew Scriptures, to hear is the same as to obey?)
But we also have a good description of God’s nature: to be merciful, to restore those who lack trust or think they can make it on their own. Can each of us examine our lives? Look for those times when you didn’t trust God’s promises and thought you could make it alone. Look for those times when God’s mercy re-appeared: in a word of forgiveness, in a restoration of relationships, in a comforting hug, in the quiet breath of the Spirit breathing new life into you.
And give thanks for the Lord’s mercy.
Lord God, Heavenly Dad, gracious Saviour, life-giving Spirit, thank you for your mercy, shown to me in so many ways. Thank you. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing.
The Light for Everyone 27th December Read: Acts 13:44-49 “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 13:47 (NIV)
I lead a KYB (Know Your Bible) group in our church. During term two we were studying about ‘Jesus of Nazareth, God and Man’. It was eye-opening to not just me but the entire group, all the prophecies that have been told about Jesus that are now fulfilled with His coming to earth as a human. One of them is the above, with Paul and Barnabas quoting Simeon, prophesising about Jesus when he was 40 days old: this child will be “…a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32) Jesus came first and foremost to the Jews, the people of Israel, to lead them to knowing their God and His Son Jesus, to bring them all salvation. But, the Jews (people of Israel) rejected Jesus, and put Him to death on the cross.
They didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God who had come into the world to deliver everyone from their sins. Orthodox Jews are still waiting for their Messiah to come. When the Jews rejected Jesus, the above prophecy came true, that Jesus was coming to deliver all people (the Gentiles – non-Jews) from darkness leading them into the light of God’s forgiveness and love bringing them salvation. God’s love and forgiveness is for everyone and God desires, “…all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
(1 Timothy 2:4 NIV) Even when Paul and Barnabas were speaking to the Jews in Antioch, the Jews were filled with jealousy that he had so many listening to him. They were also rude and abusive. Others who were there listening (Gentiles) were glad to know that God is a God for all and they honoured the Word of God. There will always be those who reject the Word of God, but don’t let that stop you from talking to people about the light of Christ that has come into your life. To become a Christian, one must first hear about Jesus! Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the light that has come into the world to bring all people to know your love and receive eternal life. Guide me to share your Gospel freely to others from all walks of life. Amen
Children of the Light 26th December Read: John 12:35-36 Jesus said: “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” John 12:36a (NIV-UK)
Light. We are fascinated with it, captivated by sunlight coming through tree branches, wonder at the light of the rainbow after a storm, marvel at the flashes of lightning that light up the sky, and lie out under the stars that twinkle at night. God has given us so many natural lights to enjoy and to use to see the world around us. God has also given us the talents to make light: fire, electric lights, neon lights, fireworks, and LED lights. What does it mean when Jesus said He wants us to “…become children of light”? Light is the absence of darkness.
So, where there is light, there is no darkness. There are so many references in the Bible to light and darkness: Genesis 1:3-5; John 1:5; Ephesians 5:8 and 1 John 1:5, are a just a couple you may want to look up. The Bible uses the light and darkness as powerful metaphors to represent good and evil, truth and falsehood and when God is present and when He is absent. Jesus came into the world at Christmas bringing light to everyone. This light brought the love, grace, peace and forgiveness of a loving God. No longer would people have to wander around being concerned about their salvation. With Jesus in our lives, our hope and futures are assured. Jesus has brought the light of God to the world – the goodness and forgiveness from all wrongdoings. He now wants us to live as “…children of light”, living in the presence of a loving God. Living in darkness is to be living in a world without the love, light and forgiveness of God.
I don’t want to live like that. It is up to us to share this light with those who are in darkness, to shed hope and the gift of grace and love with those who live without hope. Be God’s children of light in a darkened world. Jesus has come into the world bringing light and love at Christmas. Live as children of the light! Prayer: Loving Father, you brought light into the darkened world when you sent your son Jesus at Christmas. Help me to live every day in this light and shine it into other people’s darkened lives. Amen.
Jesus is the Light Christmas Day Read: John 9:4-5 Jesus said: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5 (NIV)
Once upon a time, in a land shrouded in winter’s darkness, there lived a young boy named Elias. His village was preparing for the annual Festival of Lights, a celebration of the longest night of the year, when the sun would begin its return. Elias, however, felt a deep sadness. His family had recently suffered a loss, and the festive lights seemed to mock his grief. One evening, as the first stars began to appear, Elias wandered away from the village. He found himself at the edge of a dark forest, feeling utterly alone. Suddenly, he noticed a faint light flickering in the distance. Following the light, he discovered a small, humble cottage. An old woman with kind eyes sat beside a crackling fire, her face illuminated by the flames.
“Why are you so sad, child?” she asked gently. Elias explained his sorrow. The old woman listened patiently, then smiled. “The lights of the Festival of Lights are meant to remind us that even in the darkest times, there is always a light within us, and there is always a light to guide us.” She pointed to the fire, then to the star-filled sky. “Just as those lights shine, so does the hope and love that God offers us.” She then told him the Christmas story: how the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, how she gave birth to Jesus, the Light of the World, in a stable, and how the star led the Wise Men to Bethlehem. She explained that Jesus’ birth brought hope and forgiveness, a light to guide people out of darkness and despair. When Elias returned to the village, he saw the lights in a new way. He joined in the festivities, sharing the story of Jesus’ birth with others and encouraging them to look for the light of Jesus coming to the world.
Elias now understood that Christmas wasn’t just about the lights that adorned the village, but about the light of God’s love, hope, and peace that shone within his heart. Bring the light of Jesus to someone’s life today! Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to share the story of Christmas bringing light and hope to other’s lives. Shine your light in my life that others may see you. Amen.