City Life Starter

Written by Paul Lane

The Word

³³ “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. ³⁴ Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. ³⁵ Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. ³⁶ If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

Luke 11:33-36 ESV

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, ⁴⁶ who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

-Matthew 13:45-46 ESV

Reflection

I remember hearing a story about a man who bought a painting that he thought was ugly because he liked the frame.  So, when he returned home, he set about to dismantle the frame and discovered an envelope which had one of the 25 original copies of the Declaration of Independence.  Initially he thought it was an interesting find, but it was not until a friend encouraged him to get an expert to look at it that he discovered the true identity and value of the document.

Often as Christians, redeemed by the blood of Christ Himself, we do not recognize our worth or the worth of the message we are to carry to the nations.  This story is such a great example of how we approach our faith at times.  We buy things we don’t really want for strange and impulsive reasons.  Then when we set about to implement our plans and discover something unexpected, and it does not fit in our plans, we cast it off as a passing interest.  It is a good thing that Jesus sends them out two by two so that they can remind each other of the greatness of God. “Go see an expert” is the great advice from a friend that sets this man on a path to wealth.

In the story about this painting, it was purchased for $4.00, but the expert evaluated it at $2.2 million, in 1991.  Once he discovered its worth that man did sell it.  Note that knowing the worth of a simple piece of paper turned it from a passing fancy to a source of wealth.  Like in the parable of the Pearl of Great Price, the man is able to recognize something that has true value. But I must say, I don’t think the burden of today’s text is only about sharing the gospel with the lost.  I think Jesus is telling his followers to be confident in the truth of the gospel and in the value of God’s kingdom.  He tells them, if you know the light, everything is light for you, so don’t shy away.  He also says that you must be careful with the light, lest you lose it.

Application

What do you think this passage in Luke is about?  Is Jesus trying to teach His disciples about how valuable they are?  Is he trying to get them to go out and preach the gospel?  Or is there something else?

I think he is trying to do all three things.  In the verses just before this passage Jesus warns them against only seeking miracles and signs.  But using the example of a lamp, He is telling them that they have something that is valuable, and it should be shared.

Often, we do not share.  Why is that?  I think it is because we do not have confidence in the message.  We struggle with believing that the gospel is valuable, or valid for others, however we are more than happy to tell ourselves that it works for us just fine.  If we are to be consistent, we need to either reject the gospel or live it and share it.

Prayer

Dear Father in heaven, maker of hearts.  Teach me to live the gospel, and to share it.  Give me grace in overcoming my shyness, that I might reach out to those who are around me.  Give me the wisdom to discern the opportunities to share the gospel which You provide.  And give me the freedom to proclaim Your word and share Your light with boldness.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.