PERSPECTIVE

[Solo]

PERSPECTIVE

By Joe White

Matthew 2:16-18 (New International Version)

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

• "A voice is heard in Ramah,
  weeping and great mourning,
  Rachel weeping for her children
  and refusing to be comforted,
  because they are no more."

A picturesque wilderness cave with pristine crystal formations by the millions lies beneath these Ozark Mountains in northwest Arkansas. My boys and I love to visit that cave and explore the many passage ways. The utter black darkness of that cave is foreboding and cold, but with the push of a button and ignition of energy into our bright cave lights, the underground treasure chest comes alive.

Darkness and light cannot co-exist. The rays of light introduced into the cave's darkness immediately eliminates the dominion of blackness.

So it was with the light of Christ. His very life chased away the darkness of sin and corruption among the people of Israel. Herod some how knew that Jesus would be king and his black heart couldn't stand the thought of the "pure ray of light" being introduced into the world. Eventually, Jesus' light in the dark world into which He came cost Him His life on a Roman cross.

As it is in a cave, it was with Jesus. As it was with Jesus, it is with you. When you carry your Bible to work, when you refuse to wander onto websites that entice you to lust, when you avoid ungodly movies, when you witness for Christ by your words and actions, the people who live in darkness will laugh at you, gossip about you, malign you and try to kill you with ridicule.

As it happens, don't forget that the day of judgment is coming and the light will be rewarded with light eternal. Lives of darkness will vanish into the darkest bounds of eternity.

QUESTIONS:

How have you seen your light represent Christ in a dark place in the world?
Have you ever been put down or ridiculed for representing Jesus?
How does your eventual reward encourage you?

LIFELINE:

The light of Christ keeps the home fires burning!

 

[follower of Christ]

Have you ever been put down or ridiculed for representing Jesus?

I can honestly say that no, I havent.

Everyone around me knows Im a Christian, but I think they expect that 'Christian=laid back pacifist' so they might be taken off guard because of my personality enough to not be willing to ridicule.

I have had a muslim who ended up in our golf group get so ticked off that he stormed off the golf course on the 9th hole. I guess he was a bit upset when I dropped the ball next to the hole and got a birdie because it took him 3 to get on since his first 2 balls ended up in the creek.
It seemed like he was competing with me from the moment he saw my shirt that had a cross on it and said something about Jesus.

Other than that the most Ive had happen is stuff like people telling me that they didnt want to talk or hear about Jesus or the bible....and since Im not supposed to do anything but shake the dust off and move along in that sort of case, thats precisely what I did.

 

[Dude named Louis]

I must admit that I was once more joyful to be ridiculed for Christ. I am now beginning a season of renewal and hope to get to that place again. People used to be "put off" when I told them about the kind of music I wrote/sang/played. I am not ashamed of the gospel.... I need to remember that daily.