THE LIGHT THAT MAKES LIGHT
THE LIGHT THAT MAKES LIGHT
Jesus is the Light of the World!
What is light? Light is a source of illumination. It removes darkness. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 KJV
The word “light” is a homonym; it can mean different things, but all spelt and pronounced the same way. The Light referred to above is a noun; it is used to identify Jesus. Light can also be a verb; to light meaning to ignite (a fire) and it can be an adjective; light – meaning – not heavy. An adjective is a word used to describe a noun.
Let us look at light, the adjective. The noun “burden” for instance,can be modified by light. And that is “light burden” (never mind that it is an oxymoron – oh dear, so sorry about this; it is beginning to sound like a Linguistics tutorial.) This means that burdens are not usually light but used in this contradictory way it helps us perceive a deeper meaning the way Jesus used it in Matthew 11.
So here is the thing: burdens represent some kind of weight and weight could be so much more than a physical mass. There are weights that are not physical and the way excess body mass weighs a person down is the same way that these non physical weights bear down on a person emotionally and sometimes mentally and they begin to present with physical symptoms like bursts of anger, from weights of resentment, bitterness and envy, for example. And like excess body weight these burdens can make one numb (cold and unfeeling) and hinder mobility (progress) or over time render one completely immobile.
What is weighing you down? What excess baggage are you logging around? Hear what our Saviour said: “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30 NLT
In these times, a lot of us are burdened with just about everything. How long will this pandemic last? How long will we be held back from regular daily activities, will we make it, will our children abroad cope, will they be fine; how will this affect my business, my finances, my marriage, my job, my ministry? When can I go back to school, to the gym, to the spa, to the barber’s or hair salon? Some of us worry ourselves sick about our domestic staff bringing the virus home to us. Whether or not we know it, we are burdening ourselves with these thoughts. For most of these things we have no direct control over them, so why cause all kinds of complications for ourselves? Jesus said clearly: “Come unto me!” So why are we going to CNN, CHANNELS TV, ALJAZEERA, BBC or wherever else we go to for updates on the Corona virus pandemic? There is nothing wrong with being informed and being up to speed on what’s happening around the world. But honestly, the way forward for us will not be on the news. We must come to Jesus.
Coming to Jesus means He will relieve us of those thoughts and emotions that weary and weigh us down and then bring light into the situation no matter how dark and hopeless it may seem. He then asks us to “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6: 33-34 NLT His yoke is in “seeking the kingdom of God”. As we walk with Him, Jesus will teach us how to do the will of His Father. In the light of what is out in the world right now with some regions already recording a second and more deadly wave of the corona virus, is it not better to be seeking the kingdom of God? Rather than going into a frenzy about what next with COVID 19. Jesus already said that each day comes with its own challenges. As we take on His yoke, He will help us navigate through this. We will make it!!!
LET US JOIN HANDS WITH THE LIGHT (of the world), THAT MAKES BURDENS LIGHT.
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©