Light of the World

https://odb.org/MY/2022/01/16/darkness-and-light-2

When we look at brokenness and despair around us, marriages that end in divorce, siblings estranged from one another, parent and child not speaking for years, we ask ourselves why do people let hurt, bitterness and revenge get the better of their situation? We could see for ourselves how the Wang LeeHom divorce saga became bitter, destructive and acrimonious. Sadly, such brokenness are not limited to those who do not know Jesus Christ as Christians are not immune from failed marriages, family fueds and sibling discords.

There is also a lot of unfairness, oppression and injustice in society. Unfortunately, these had existed since ancient times, in fact since time immemorial. Communism tried to bring social justice to the masses but we know that it brought widespread poverty, instead of wealth and prosperity. Look at North Korea as a clear example of failed socialism.

We know that the origin to all these brokenness is sin that came into the world after Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent. The knowledge of good and evil somehow brought evil into the picture and we only need to look at a child to see the virtue of innocence. There are things in this world once opened up is difficult to turn back. Like the myth of Pandora’s box.

Fortunately, God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Eternal life is brought back into the picture through Christ. There is already victory over sin and Jesus proved it through His resurrection that the sting of sin that is death is now defeated.

I think that the root to all these brokenness is the human nature and tendency to be selfish and self serving. We are always wanting to count, calculate and evaluate whether we have the best bargain, the best deal, the outcome that favours us the most. It is fair so long as we get equal if not better treatment. We are always looking for the long end of the stick. That is why when Jesus appeared on the scene, He taught us to turn the other cheek. He was like asking – so what if the other person gets the better deal, the better treatment? So what if our father loved our brother or sister more? So what if we work very hard but others get the glory and recognition? Is our reward not in heaven? Is our treasures not stored in heaven where moth and rust will not destroy and thieves will not steal? Is our life and destiny not in Christ? Is our inheritance not in Christ? Is not our plans, purposes and dreams those that God had planned for us since the beginning of time even before we were physically formed in our mother’s womb? Are we not like Paul; to die is gain but to live is Christ?

We are the light of the world, the children of the Light. If our eyes are set on things above, if our gaze is towards heaven, I think all these bitterness and despair will evaporate if not in an instant, then surely over time. Such things like unfairness, hurt, bitterness, envy, justice are no longer that important to us. No longer our core concerns. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is like a man who found a treasure in a field and sold everything to buy the field. Nothing else really matters once we have God in our lives. If not, then the principle of turning the other cheek will be super tough to take to heart. We will always hit back, demand our fair share, insist on a better deal and if we do not get our way, we become resentful and bitter. Darkness is the absence of light. So how can we light up darkness if we are in the shadows? Step out from the cover of darkness and be the light of the world that we are as children of the Light!