He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John1:7-9
Yesterday was Ascension day. Part of Jesus' Ascension day message was "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth."
In our passage for today John the Apostle is talking about John the Baptist (JohnB). He describes the role that JohnB played in announcing the coming and mission of Jesus the Messiah.
JohnB was a witness and Jesus calls us to be witnesses.
Let's learn from JohnB:
1. We come as witnesses. A witness tells of what they have seen and heard and experienced. They can't witness to something that they have never experienced. (See Acts19:13-16 to see the worst case scenario of doing this.)
2. We testify about the Light. We talk about Jesus. Not about ourselves or our programmes or our clever ideas. We talk about Jesus: Incarnate, Crucified, Risen, Ascended and Soon Returning.
3. We do it so that people will BELIEVE. This is urgent!!
4. We are not the light. Oh how tempting this is!! It's so tempting to want people to recognise what good people we are and that they LIKE us. But we are not the light. We need to get out of the way! JohnB put it like this: "He must increase and I must decrease." (Joh.3:30)
5. JohnB was on a timetable as he was the forerunner for Jesus' earthly ministry ("The true light... was coming into the world"), But there is an urgency to our work too, because Jesus is coming again and we should be ready!!
So, to sum it all up, our mission is to be REFLECTORS. Being witnesses of Jesus - the light of the world!
--------------------------------
Have a look at these lyrics and go to the website listed to listen to this lovely song that puts it so well!
"Reflector"
Since I've found your love
I've never needed anything to fill my heart
Even when I fall
You're always there with open arms to pick me up
From the start I knew
No one else could make me feel the way you do
Everyday i want to grow
Just a little bit closer, just a little bit closer
I want to be a reflector
I want to shine with your glory
I want to let the whole world know that you're
Living in me
I want to burn with your fire
Shine my light a little brighter
I want to let the whole world know that
Jesus Lives in me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkLSoIXtOaM
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-05-29 [Light] Light of the World
Apologies for the missed eDevs... I've been down with a nasty sinus infection....
----------------------------
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John8:12
Today is Ascension Day.
It is the day that we celebrate Christ's return to the Father's right hand and we are comforted by the knowledge that He prays for us, that He sends His Holy Spirit to us, and that He will return in glory.
On this day it is appropriate for us to consider Jesus' powerful words here in John 8...
Darkness...
It can be pervasive, threatening and discouraging.
We see it all around us and find corners of our hearts that are consumed by it. We deal with physical darkness by lighting a candle, but we don't know how to deal with spiritual and emotional darkness.
Jesus does.
He is light in our darkness.
Forgiveness in our sinfulness.
Hope in our hopelessness.
Guidance in our directionlessness.
Healing in our brokenness.
The Ascension is reminds us that Jesus our light is coming again.
For the Christian, the hope of Jesus' return is like those pre-dawn moments: We don't know when the edge of the sun will peep over the horizon but the light around us is sufficient to assure us that the day is coming.
As we wait for Jesus' return, there is pre-dawn light all around us because He has sent His Spirit into our hearts and He has established the Church to proclaim His Good News. Any moment the trumpet will sound and His full glory will shine on us!!!
He _is_ the Light of the World and He's coming again!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
----------------------------
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John8:12
Today is Ascension Day.
It is the day that we celebrate Christ's return to the Father's right hand and we are comforted by the knowledge that He prays for us, that He sends His Holy Spirit to us, and that He will return in glory.
On this day it is appropriate for us to consider Jesus' powerful words here in John 8...
Darkness...
It can be pervasive, threatening and discouraging.
We see it all around us and find corners of our hearts that are consumed by it. We deal with physical darkness by lighting a candle, but we don't know how to deal with spiritual and emotional darkness.
Jesus does.
He is light in our darkness.
Forgiveness in our sinfulness.
Hope in our hopelessness.
Guidance in our directionlessness.
Healing in our brokenness.
The Ascension is reminds us that Jesus our light is coming again.
For the Christian, the hope of Jesus' return is like those pre-dawn moments: We don't know when the edge of the sun will peep over the horizon but the light around us is sufficient to assure us that the day is coming.
As we wait for Jesus' return, there is pre-dawn light all around us because He has sent His Spirit into our hearts and He has established the Church to proclaim His Good News. Any moment the trumpet will sound and His full glory will shine on us!!!
He _is_ the Light of the World and He's coming again!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Thursday, May 22, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-05-22 [Light] Jesus our Light SHINES!
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles--
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew4:12-17
We looked at this passage in the Old Testament earlier. Now we examine its fulfilment. But if Jesus was "the light of the world," then how do we know for sure??
John the Baptist had a similar question...
"When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5 The blind receive sight,
the lame walk,
those who have leprosy are cured,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the good news is preached to the poor. (Mat.11:2-5)
Enough said!!!!
Jesus our light SHINES in the darkness!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles--
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew4:12-17
We looked at this passage in the Old Testament earlier. Now we examine its fulfilment. But if Jesus was "the light of the world," then how do we know for sure??
John the Baptist had a similar question...
"When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5 The blind receive sight,
the lame walk,
those who have leprosy are cured,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the good news is preached to the poor. (Mat.11:2-5)
Enough said!!!!
Jesus our light SHINES in the darkness!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-05-21 [Light] Jesus our Light
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John1:1-5
Jesus is portrayed as the Word of God (the way God communicates Himself to us) and as the Light of humankind (the way God shows Himself to us).
Jesus is the light of life.
His coming into our world was the candle in the dark room
- it was the lighthouse light on a stormy night
- it was the star by which we could find our way
- it was the light at the end of the tunnel
And the light shines into the darkness.
It was dark:
We didn't fully understand who God is and what He is like.
We didn't know how to find our way to Him.
We couldn't make ourselves holy enough to be with Him
Because we couldn't find Him, we also couldn't find each other.
Our world was far from God and we are far from each other.
But the light has come!
It shines into the darkness and the darkness has no answer!
John has a bit of fun with the Greek word for "understood"... The word can mean "understood" or "overcome" and in both senses the statement is true. The darkness couldn't understand the light and those who hide from it will never understand. The darkness also could not overcome the light, even when it crucified the light.
The best thing to do with the light is do what yesterday's passage urged us to do: Arise! Shine! Your LIGHT has come!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John1:1-5
Jesus is portrayed as the Word of God (the way God communicates Himself to us) and as the Light of humankind (the way God shows Himself to us).
Jesus is the light of life.
His coming into our world was the candle in the dark room
- it was the lighthouse light on a stormy night
- it was the star by which we could find our way
- it was the light at the end of the tunnel
And the light shines into the darkness.
It was dark:
We didn't fully understand who God is and what He is like.
We didn't know how to find our way to Him.
We couldn't make ourselves holy enough to be with Him
Because we couldn't find Him, we also couldn't find each other.
Our world was far from God and we are far from each other.
But the light has come!
It shines into the darkness and the darkness has no answer!
John has a bit of fun with the Greek word for "understood"... The word can mean "understood" or "overcome" and in both senses the statement is true. The darkness couldn't understand the light and those who hide from it will never understand. The darkness also could not overcome the light, even when it crucified the light.
The best thing to do with the light is do what yesterday's passage urged us to do: Arise! Shine! Your LIGHT has come!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-05-20 [Light] Arise! Shine!
After a long break (I apologise!) the eDevs are back and we're picking up the theme of the light of creation and salvation that we were busy with before Lent...
---------------------------------
"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the arm.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come. Isaiah60:1-5
Isaiah's prophecy here in ch.61 echoes the wonderful hope he first announced in ch.9.
ISA 9:2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned...
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God's salvation is light in our darkness.
The darkness of death and sin was over us.
But God sent His Son and He is risen from the dead!
The dawn of Easter Sunday morning is the light that has shone on us.
The glorious resurrection of Jesus is the message that offers hope to the nations, brings back, restores and saves our sons and daughters and makes our hearts radiant.
When last did thinking about the Good News of Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension and impending return make your heart throb and swell with joy???
Stop and think long enough for your heart to beat faster and for that smile to hit your dial.
ARISE!!!
SHINE!!!
Christ, our LIGHT has come!!!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
---------------------------------
"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the arm.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come. Isaiah60:1-5
Isaiah's prophecy here in ch.61 echoes the wonderful hope he first announced in ch.9.
ISA 9:2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned...
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God's salvation is light in our darkness.
The darkness of death and sin was over us.
But God sent His Son and He is risen from the dead!
The dawn of Easter Sunday morning is the light that has shone on us.
The glorious resurrection of Jesus is the message that offers hope to the nations, brings back, restores and saves our sons and daughters and makes our hearts radiant.
When last did thinking about the Good News of Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension and impending return make your heart throb and swell with joy???
Stop and think long enough for your heart to beat faster and for that smile to hit your dial.
ARISE!!!
SHINE!!!
Christ, our LIGHT has come!!!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
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