We’re starting the week in the Word with John 1:6-8, which is from the Gospel reading for the coming week.
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. [8] He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
Moving to Ohio almost two decades ago, I found it interesting that a few homes had miniature lighthouses in their front yards. Growing up in Kansas, I had never seen such a lawn ornament. It didn’t make sense until my first visit to Lake Erie. It turns out lighthouses are part of the culture of Great Lakes states.
Churches are sometimes equated with lighthouses. The congregations are shining the light of Christ on the community. This light serves both to make the community aware of Jesus and to attract to community to hear about Jesus. In the words of the Apostle John, this is done to “bear witness about the light.”
Why should we limit the lighthouse analogy to congregations? A miniature lighthouse in front of our homes could also be equated with shining the light of Christ. Do we not also open the Scriptures in our homes? Do we not offer the Lord’s Prayer in our houses? Do we not encourage one another in the faith as families. We do this and more in Jesus’ name in our homes.
Furthermore, our ornamental lighthouses can remind us that God has included us in his mission. We have the privilege of shining the light of Christ on our neighborhood. In our vocation as neighbor, we can demonstrate God’s love for our neighbors.
In all this we are bearing witness for Jesus, the light who redeemed our fallen our world.
Until next week, the Lord bless and guide.
(Monday Meditations are based on the appointed Scripture readings from the LCMS lectionary for the coming week with topical devotions mixed in from time to time. Photo taken by the author.)
Kevin Wilson 360 