As each day passed, Jesus knew He was getting closer to fulfilling His mission on earth. He knew the cross was coming and the resurrection would follow. He knew that soon He would no longer be walking and talking with His disciples. And He knew they needed to be prepared to carry the truth to the ends of the world once He was gone. (Acts 1:8)
Every person Jesus met was impacted by the glory of God. He was the light to guide people into truth, and He was preparing His disciples to continue His work. Today, those of us that follow Jesus have the same assignment. To shine the light of the truth into the darkness of this world and to show people Jesus!
“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” -John 9:4-5 NLT
As Jesus went around impacting people, He was constantly scolded by the Pharisees. They were full of knowledge and that was all that mattered to them. They did not want to hear that what they did for people mattered more than what they knew about God. When Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath, the Pharisees were enraged. They didn’t see the glory of God in Jesus’ miracle. They saw one of their rules being broken. They weren’t moved by the fact that this man’s whole trajectory had been changed by Jesus’ healing touch.
“One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I can see!” – John 9:25 CSB
Changed lives matter to Jesus and they should matter to us. People need Jesus. They are stumbling through life with a veil of darkness blinding them from the truth. We have the light of the truth that can change people’s life and their eternity. Jesus does not want us to keep the light hidden. He wants us to shine the light of the gospel on everyone we meet!
The last thing the healed man said in this story was, “I believe, Lord!” He had woken up that morning physically and spiritually blind. Then He met Jesus, and everything changed!
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God…For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. – 2 Corinthians 4:4,6 NLT
“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.” – Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
Lately, I’ve felt an urgency to write. I have more ideas than I do time, though! but I think many of the thoughts & ideas I have are largely part of changing & healing ME. I can’t say to other, “Jesus can transform your life!” when I am not evidence of it. BUT! I am more confident each day that the changes ahead for me will be just the story for me to tell. I so appreciate the truth you share!
Transformation is definitely a process. But it starts with a change in perspective which brings with it joy and peace not dependent on our circumstances. 😊