Read
Light
(Mark 4.21-25)
16 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl or under a bed. A lamp is always put on a lampstand, so people who come into a house will see the light. 17 There is nothing hidden that will not be found. There is no secret that will not be well known. 18 Pay attention to how you listen! Everyone who has something will be given more, but people who have nothing will lose what little they think they have.
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
(Matthew 12.46-50; Mark 3.31-35)
19Jesus' mother and brothers went to see him, but because of the crowd they could not get near him. 20Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you.”
21Jesus answered, “My mother and my brothers are those people who hear and obey God's message.”
Reflect
A friend of mine was a Marine in the Vietnam war. He was on reconnaissance patrol with a group of soldiers one day when they found themselves trapped on a hilltop as night fell. In the darkness they could hear the Vietcong in the surrounding jungle working their way up the slope chanting, “Marine you die. Marine you die.”
Suddenly, in the distance, the Marines could hear the faint sound of a chopper sent to rescue them. But in the dark there was no way for the pilot to find them.
Running the risk of being seen by an enemy soldier, one of the Marines lit a single match and held it high. In the blackness of the night that single flame caught the eye of the pilot, and he was able to swoop in and rescue the Marines just in the nick of time.
When we receive Jesus’ message, it’s as if we are a flame that has begun to shine in the darkness. Sometimes it is tempting to be protective of that flame, hiding it from view. Jesus is the light of the world.1 As we are drawn to him and receive his light, we are to share it openly so others can find Him too.
At the end of this passage Jesus’ mother and brothers wanted to see him (v 20). Jesus responded by introducing his “extended family”—people who listen to God’s word and do what it says (v 21). Imagine having that close a relationship with Jesus. We can!
1 John 8:12
Respond
Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. Give me the courage to lift you up so that others may be drawn to you. In your powerful name I pray. Amen.
Bill Bonikowsky
Bill Bonikowsky is a writer, editor and photographer. Born in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and raised in Guelph ON, Bill currently resides in Nanaimo BC with his wife Shirley. He ministered with Youth for Christ for over 27 years as a youth minister and editor of YFC’s monthly newsletter. He pastored a church in Arlington Heights, IL for 2 ½ years, and served as Communications Officer for Alpha Ministries Canada for 10½ years. Bill has three grown sons and ten grandchildren. Publications: Contributing writer for the NIV Life Application Bible; Editor of Report to the People newsletter for Greater Vancouver Youth for Christ for 20 years; Editor of Alpha News for Alpha Ministries Canada for five years; Published in the Canadian anthologies “A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider” (2011), "Hot Apple Cider With Cinnamon" (2015) and "Christmas With Hot Apple Cider" (2017).
- Web |
- More Posts(10)