“He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light”
John 5:35.
Jesus declares a beautiful truth about John the Baptist’s life—He was a lamp. It’s important to clarify that a lamp bears the light, but it is not the light itself. This distinction is significant because there are lamps that are not burning or shining. Believers have the capacity to burn and shine; but can often hide their lamp under a basket, instead of placing it on a stand for all to benefit from the light (Matt 5:14-16).
Believers are not called to live in a bubble; protecting themselves from contact with anything secular. A bubble-wrapped Christian chooses to live safely among other Christians; avoiding contact with the world. This bubble over time can quench a person’s passion to be actively involved in Christ’s mission.; they choose to hide out from the culture instead of standing out!
John was the kind of lamp that shone brightly. He was a witness who told people where they could see, hear and know the light; John was a true witness to Christ because he lived out what he believed.
My husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, choosing to renew our vows in our home with friends and family surrounding us. Though some in our home were not believers; we did not hide our faith. A dear friend began the ceremony in prayer and led us in worship. Then another close friend, who is a pastor from the seminary we work at, shared richly from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 along with talking about the significance of Aquila and Priscilla’s ministry. Perhaps the rejoicing moment came after we said our vows and passed around the sparkling cider for a toast. We sang Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude” and there was not a person in the room not singing “Hallelujah”! Our lamps were shining and pointing to the One who deserves all the praise; and even those who did not know Him rejoiced for a while in the light.
Too often we keep our faith hidden, and in doing so we create a compartmentalized life and a fragmented faith. A robust and healthy Christian worldview offers us the freedom to be who we are out in public and in private.
It’s time to pop the bubble. More than ever before, the world needs to see authentic Christianity. To live biblically, doesn’t mean we beat people over the head with our Bible. The call is to make Christ known in the world, find ways to build bridges in understanding the culture and share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Margy Hill