Based on Isaiah 58:6-9, 1Corinthians 2:1-9, Matthew 5:13-20
Have you ever wondered why the image of a lightbulb shining brightly was used by graphic artists to indicate that someone had come to a new understanding of something? Historically, the light bulb image represents innovation and invention, particularly linked to Thomas Edison and the electric light. Thus, light is often associated with clarity and understanding - contrasting with darkness, which symbolizes confusion or ignorance. We all have seen the moment when a person grasps a new concept or solution; similar to how a dark room comes into view when a lightbulb is turned on. This is why “the light bulb moment” is a common phrase used to describe the instant someone understands something or has a breakthrough idea.
The liturgical season of Epiphany is all about lightbulb moments. We began with the Magi following the light of the star to find and worship the toddler Jesus. We will end the season next Sunday with the Transfiguration of Jesus and how he shone brightly on the mountain top, revealing his divinity to his closest disciples. Epiphany is all about illumination…bringing to light that which has been hidden. The discovery of the Messiah by the Gentiles, the ministry and divinity of Jesus, the teachings of how we all are to live in the world as followers of the Christ. All these revelations have been brought into the light in these last few weeks for us to consider and to emulate.
The Bible is all about illumination; about shining a light into our spiritual darkness and revealing what it is that God is doing and how God is accompanying us throughout our lives. Our scripture readings today offer us illumination for our spiritual journeys and our conduct as beloved children of God. We are late in Isaiah today with the prophet speaking to the people in ways reminiscent of Micah 6:8 last week. Here the people are asking why God hasn’t noticed all the piety they are showing with their humble fasting? God calls out their hypocrisy of “fasting” while breaking most of the Ten Commandments. God provides illumination by reminding the people that the fast that God demands is one which breaks the chains of injustice, sets the oppressed free, shares food with the hungry – not just handing it out, but actually eating with them; bringing the wretched poor into their houses, clothing the naked. When they begin to do this, God tells them that they will illuminate the world like the breaking dawn and that they will be quickly healed from their sinful behaviors.
Paul is reminding the Corinthian believers that he came to them fresh off many failed evangelistic efforts. He had been in the dark when trying to convert his fellow Jews to belief in Jesus – and they had jailed him, beat him and even tried to kill him. He had failed to persuade others by arguing Jesus from the position of Greek rhetoric. Finally, he went back to the basics and to the Gentiles he preached Christ crucified – and he was wildly successful. That in and of itself provides some illumination for us as we often try to make outreach much more difficult than just showing folks how much of a positive difference it makes to have Jesus in our lives.
Jesus continues his teaching of how to live in the kingdom of God here on earth. This week he reminds his listeners of Isaiah’s prophecy about how they are called to be the light of God’s glory to those who walk in darkness. The illumination he provides shows us that we must live lives that are positively impacting the lives of our neighbors or we are no better off in our witness than the hypocritical Temple leadership of Jesus’ day. All of those who seek to follow Jesus are to be people who make discipleship inviting to others – just like adding a bit of salt to food improves its palatability. Not a set of rules to be strictly adhered to, but a way of living in the world that improves the common good.
I’ve been a teacher for most of my adult life. I’ve taught in University classrooms, in hospital rooms, in churches, online and everywhere in between. I’ve taught health professional students, medical and nursing colleagues and everyday folk. The one thing that I like the most when teaching is when I see the light go on. All of you know what I mean, especially the professional educators in the room. That moment when the learner “gets it” – when they go from being lost in the dark to being enlightened. It is especially satisfying when it happens with someone who has been “on the struggle bus” for a while and they finally break through. You can see it in their face, in their demeanor, their whole body gets energized and sometimes kinda start to glow.
However, every teacher knows that some folks will stay in the dark – they just can’t break through their mental block or self-defeating talk and actions. The Apostle Paul struggled with this. As I mentioned earlier, the first part of the Book of Acts details how Paul was an ineffective evangelist. He was skilled in rhetorical thinking and speaking, and in Judaic Law. Yet he was unable to move most of his fellow Jews into believing in Jesus – no matter what arguments he produced. They were too locked in to their understanding of who and what the Messiah was supposed to be – they couldn’t hear the good news. So, Paul went back to preaching and teaching the Gentiles – the people without any preconceived notions about the Jewish Messiah. His ministry took off and he planted many church groups around the Mediterranean Sea.
Jesus found this same behavior to be true – even amongst his closest disciples. Even though they saw him perform miraculous healings, heard amazing teachings, and lived with him every day for three years, they just couldn’t find their way out of the darkness and into his light. Jesus did not give up, he kept talking to them – kept trying to find ways to explain the wonders of God’s kingdom that were available to them right then and there. Jesus communicated in simple language with compelling stories and metaphors – words that became new wiring for their brains. Teachings like his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel. Word pictures that seek to provide illumination to a people wandering in the dark, searching for God.
The Bible is intended to be a source of illumination into the mind and heart of God. It is intended to rewire our hearts, minds and lives that we might one day have that “lightbulb moment” for Christ. That’s why it is so important to be a life-long learner who invests in discovering how to live the ways of Jesus – to grow into his heart and mind. When we “get it” then we shine the light of Christ into our world. Our illumination beams out and we become a force for God’s good work for our oppressed neighbors. We attract people not because of our ability to argue our dogma, but because we are a beacon of hope, a light set upon a hill – providing God’s illumination to our world. May God the great empowerer turn us on! Amen.