By the Light of the Moon

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (Luke 11:33-42 ESV). Last week we had a full moon and a clear sky. In our home we have uncovered transom windows. As I was watching a little late night television (catching up on some of my recorded shows), I realized how bright it was in the room without any artificial light. It was as bright as if I had some lamps on. In fact, it was almost brighter than I wanted to watch TV! I will say though, I was certainly glad to have the light when I got up to get a glass of milk! The light was essential to see my way. Light is essential in our spiritual lives also. This is the principle Jesus teaches in our reading today. Spiritual light reveals the true nature of our character. Good deeds done in public may be no more than a ruse to hide the true nature of our heart. On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: “James Butler Bonham—no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom.” The Jesus that the world needs to see is not in the outward appearances of religious hypocrisies. The Jesus the world needs to see is in the character we develop by practicing the truth in our lives. The light reveals integrity and honesty. The earlier the light comes in your life, the earlier you will be able to change those areas of your life that do not accurately reflect the presence of Christ.