We’re a band of Jesus-followers, just like the first disciples who followed him along hot and dusty trails in the hills of Palestine. Just like them, we know we’re not very good at this. And we admit that sometimes we screw up. But we’re serious about trying to do it better.
Church as light of the world
Stories of light & darkness
My father was a hill farmer. Visitors to our farm used to remark on the beauty of the scenery but add “aren’t those electricity pylons ugly!” But my father would reply “to me they are beautiful, the best thing to happen in my lifetime, because they bring light to remote hill farms”.
What Jesus meant by “Light”
John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Matthew 5:14-16 “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.”
We are like light for the world.
Light shines on dark things and exposes what is there. This is a call to the church to challenge evil within our society, however uncomfortable this may be. When Rosa Parks refused to sit at the back if the bus in segregationist America, her small act of courage triggered the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. This movement adopted a children’s gospel song as their anthem:
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”
Don't hide your light
We hide our light when we stay silent in the face of discussion which is contrary to that which we believe. We hide our light when we fail to challenge and instead conform with behaviours that are not in line with Jesus' teaching. We hide our light when we don't care for the needs of others, and walk by on the other side, since we have missed an opportunity to let the light of Jesus' compassion shine out in acts of kindness.
Our church is a community that keeps on trying to re-create the Kingdom of God; show it to people; include them; invite them in. Here are some suggestions from an Anabaptist book I’ve been reading of what this community should look like:
- A Jesus-centred community
- A radical communal lifestyle
- Sacrificial commitment to one another
- Forming a community of faith that incarnates the gospel
- Integrating life and faith
- Incarnating Jesus
- Sacrificial discipleship
- Constructive dissent
- Openness between fellow believers
- Relevant – to our lives and to the lives of others
- A caring community
- Commitment to a radical gospel
- Demonstrating a God-given Power to change lives
- A mutual way of life
Here are some moments when I felt that we were in the kingdom:
- Eileen’s 80th birthday celebration
- The Sunday morning when we phoned the team in Madagascar
- David & Sally’s wedding
Can you think of other examples?
I wish there were more but I’m glad there are so many
We’re a band of Jesus-followers, just like the first disciples who followed him along hot and dusty trails in the hills of Palestine. Just like them, we know we’re not very good at this. And we admit that sometimes we screw up. But we’re serious about trying to do it better.