Lady Liberty

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV). Mary has been to New York City many times. Each time she brings home the pictures and experiences of this marvelous city. I have promised to go with her the next time that she travels there; although I haven’t been able to do keep that promise yet. I would look forward to experiencing the sights, fragrances, and sounds of the most famous city in the world. The enormity of the Empire State Building, the magical effects of Times Square, the history of Broadway, and every type of food known to man are some of the things that can be found there. But the thing I most desire to see is the Statue of Liberty. It has come to be known as “Lady Liberty.” Thinking about this on me of the famous poem by Emma Lazarus, which is engraved on a tablet within the statue's pedestal. The ending says: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" These words and the mere sight of what Emma described as the New Colossus, has brought tears to many eyes. While thinking of these words and the massive statute that stands on the shores of what so many immigrants knew as the New World, I couldn't help but think of Jesus. Can you hear Jesus saying those very same words as He stands between this world and the next holding the torch high enough for the lost to find their way safely? That’s the declaration of our Lord in the reading today. He is the light that leads us to freedom from death and hell. He is the one who holds the torch that signals the path toward real freedom. God has provided all we need and the way to find it. Charles Sell says it so well in the following verse: If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior. Why don’t you come to Him today with all of your troubles and care? He waits for you with open arms and full grace.