Let Christ's light shine

480 christian light shinesSwitzerland is a beautiful country with lakes, mountains and valleys. On some days the mountains are covered by a fog that penetrates deep into the valleys. The country has a certain charm on such days, but its full beauty cannot be seen. On other days, when the power of the rising sun has lifted the mist-shrouded veil, the whole landscape can be viewed in a new light and from a different perspective. Now the snow-capped mountains, green valleys, thundering waterfalls and emerald-colored lakes can be viewed in all their glory.

This reminds me of the following scripture: “But their minds were hardened. For to this day that veil remains over the old covenant when read from it; it is not revealed because it is dealt with in Christ. But if he turns back to the Lord, the veil is taken off" (2. Corinthians 3,14 and 16).

Paul was carefully instructed by Gamaliel "in the law of our fathers." Paul explains how he sees himself in relation to the law: “I was circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee by law, a persecutor of the church by zeal, blameless according to the righteousness of the law” (Philippians 3,5-6).

He explained to the Galatians: “Neither did I receive this message from any man, nor was it taught by any man; nay, Jesus Christ himself revealed them to me” (Galatians 1,12 New Geneva translation).

Now, enlightened by the risen Son of God who removed the veil from Paul, Paul saw the law and the whole biblical landscape in a new light and from a different perspective. Now he saw that the conception of the two sons of Abraham's two wives, Hagar and Sarah, had a higher, figurative meaning in Genesis, to show that the old covenant was ended and the new covenant was in effect. He speaks of two Jerusalem. Hagar stands for the Jerusalem of 1. Century, a city that was conquered by the Romans and was under the rule of the law. Sarah, on the other hand, corresponds to the Jerusalem that is above; she is the mother of grace. He equates the birth of Isaac with that of Christians. Isaac was a child of promise, just as every believer is supernaturally born again. (Galatians 4,21-31). He now saw that the promises made to Abraham are inherited through faith in Christ. “With him (Jesus) God says yes to all his promises. At his request, we say Amen to the glory of God. God has placed us with you on this solid ground: on Christ" (2. Corinthians 1,20-21 Good News Bible). Despite his earlier views of the law, he now saw that the Scriptures (the law and the prophets) revealed a righteousness from God apart from the law: “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God is revealed, testified through the law and the prophets. But I speak of the righteousness before God, which comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3,21-22). Now he understood that the gospel is the good news of God's grace.

The Old Testament is by no means outdated, but like Paul we Christians should understand and interpret it in the light of the risen Son of God, Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote: “Yet whatever is revealed is then seen in the light for what it really is. Even more: everything that has become visible belongs to the light. Therefore it is also said: Wake up, you sleeper, and arise from the dead! Then Christ will shine his light upon you” (Ephesians 5,13-14 New Geneva translation).

It is a joyful surprise for you to experience this new way of looking at Jesus. Suddenly an expanded perspective opens up to you, because Jesus will illuminate a hidden corner of your heart with enlightened eyes through his word and often also through those around you. These can be personal quirks or difficulties that make it difficult to live with your neighbors and that do not serve the glory of God at all. Here, too, Jesus is able to lift the veil off you. He wants you to face reality with a clear view and change that which clouds your view and strains your relationships with others and with him.

Let Christ shine on you and let him remove the veil. Your life and the world will look completely different through the glasses of Jesus, as you could never imagine.

Eddie Marsh


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