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Text: Phil 2:12-30
In the name of + Jesus. Amen.
In the Creed, we confess Jesus as “God of God, light of light, very God of very God.” And this is confession of the Holy Trinity being of one substance, but with distinction of person. But it is also a confession of what St. John the apostle taught us: “In Him [that is, in Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). Jesus is the “uncreated light,” and the first thing He created “in the beginning” was light that reflects Him (Gen 1:1-3). But when we fell into sin, it was as if the flame of this created light was extinguished, the glory obscured, and all the world was thrown into the confusion and chaos of darkness. Jesus said, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:19-21).
Our Lord Himself came into this darkness, saying, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). And indeed He is, dear friends. And He has given His church the joyful responsibility and privilege to take Him, as a Lamp, and cast away the darkness of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature. “You are the light of the world,” says our Lord to us. “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house” (Matt 5:14-15).
St. Paul reminds us of our Lord’s words, building on them when he says, “you shine as lights in the world.” Though we are poor reflectors of our Lord, though our flame is often weak, though we may be at times little more than a spark or an ember – the church remains the contrast, and the hope, of a “crooked and twisted generation.” The tongues of fire that graced the apostles on Pentecost demonstrate the gift of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus has given to His church. And the church’s job is to set the world on fire with the Gospel.
Indeed, we have the Gospel, dear friends. We have the Good News that those who “sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,” need and crave. And this is why St. Paul urges us to “work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling,” to “do all things without grumbling or questioning,” and that we strive to be “blameless and innocent” as “children of God.” And we do this, by “holding fast to the Word of life.”
Our motivation to lead lives that are different than the dark world around us isn’t to earn God’s favor, or to somehow save ourselves by our works. Rather, we offer our meager good works as a thank-offering to God out of love for our neighbor, as our Lord Jesus says: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Lord Jesus Christ,
with us abide,
For round us falls
the eventide.
O let Your Word,
that saving light,
Shine forth
undimmed into the night (LSB 585).
Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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