T
TriuneUnity
Guest
Ephesians 5:1-9: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).
Happy Lent! In the name of Jesus. Amen. “Jesus Christ is the Light of the
World.” The service of Evening Prayer begins that way, doesn’t it?
We sing back, “The Light no darkness can overcome.” Jesus is the Light that no
darkness—not even death itself can overcome.
Darkness is against the Light. Where His Light is, there is no darkness. Where
darkness is, there is no light. One is not in communion, in fellowship, with another.
St. Paul reminds you today: You were once in darkness. You were dead in your
trespasses and sins. You were blind—spiritually and literally—to all that God has
done, is doing, and will do for you. And nothing you could do could rescue you from
it. Nothing you could say could allow you to talk your way out of it. You were
darkness, not light.
Jesus is the Light of the world and your light, too. He has lit up your world by
His holy life and His bitter sufferings and death that even you, who once lived in
darkness shines with His Light.
Consider that again: Jesus’ light is so bright that you radiate it to others. You
were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Apart from the Lord, you aren’t even a little bit of light. If you put your eyes on
you at all, you will only see the darkness of your failures and sins.
But He shines. He shines with the Light of the Only-Begotten of the Father. He
shines—true God and true Man. He shines with the holiness and grace of Almighty
God. He shines for us.
The Cross. That’s where we see His light shining. There, we see the grace of
God, the truth and the righteousness of God. There on the Cross, we see Jesus
being the Light of the World for us and for the world.
Yes, there was darkness in the world on Good Friday. But the darkness doesn’t
overcome Him. It doesn’t snuff Him out. Yes, He died. But, overcome? No, after
three days He shines forth, alive again. And all who believe in Him, who trust in His
Name also shine in His light.
He delivers His light to you today in His gifts. You were baptized into His light.
You are filled with His Words and forgiveness. You have been fed the very Body and
Blood of the Light that no darkness can overcome.
If you’ve never sung Evening Prayer, ask your Pastor to start a service. There’s
no better way to rejoice in the Light than to pray in it. Happy Lent. In the name of
Jesus. Amen.
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).
Happy Lent! In the name of Jesus. Amen. “Jesus Christ is the Light of the
World.” The service of Evening Prayer begins that way, doesn’t it?
We sing back, “The Light no darkness can overcome.” Jesus is the Light that no
darkness—not even death itself can overcome.
Darkness is against the Light. Where His Light is, there is no darkness. Where
darkness is, there is no light. One is not in communion, in fellowship, with another.
St. Paul reminds you today: You were once in darkness. You were dead in your
trespasses and sins. You were blind—spiritually and literally—to all that God has
done, is doing, and will do for you. And nothing you could do could rescue you from
it. Nothing you could say could allow you to talk your way out of it. You were
darkness, not light.
Jesus is the Light of the world and your light, too. He has lit up your world by
His holy life and His bitter sufferings and death that even you, who once lived in
darkness shines with His Light.
Consider that again: Jesus’ light is so bright that you radiate it to others. You
were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Apart from the Lord, you aren’t even a little bit of light. If you put your eyes on
you at all, you will only see the darkness of your failures and sins.
But He shines. He shines with the Light of the Only-Begotten of the Father. He
shines—true God and true Man. He shines with the holiness and grace of Almighty
God. He shines for us.
The Cross. That’s where we see His light shining. There, we see the grace of
God, the truth and the righteousness of God. There on the Cross, we see Jesus
being the Light of the World for us and for the world.
Yes, there was darkness in the world on Good Friday. But the darkness doesn’t
overcome Him. It doesn’t snuff Him out. Yes, He died. But, overcome? No, after
three days He shines forth, alive again. And all who believe in Him, who trust in His
Name also shine in His light.
He delivers His light to you today in His gifts. You were baptized into His light.
You are filled with His Words and forgiveness. You have been fed the very Body and
Blood of the Light that no darkness can overcome.
If you’ve never sung Evening Prayer, ask your Pastor to start a service. There’s
no better way to rejoice in the Light than to pray in it. Happy Lent. In the name of
Jesus. Amen.