Pastor Devotion – Reflecting the Light

By Pastor Paul Hauschild

Chatfield Lutheran Church

Chatfield, MN

“The next day (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and declared: ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29)

The Gospel of John makes it very clear that Jesus, God’s Son, is the life and light of all people (John 1:4). John the Baptist told everyone he was not the light but only reflected the light of Jesus. Ah, that’s our mission today, too, isn’t it? To reflect the light of Christ?

When I was a little boy, I remember several trips to my grandpa and grandma’s little farmhouse outside of Marshall, Minn. As the adults sat in the kitchen drinking coffee and visiting, I sat alone in the living room. It was such a small room and quite dark. Only two little windows let in the sunlight.

One day I sat in my grandpa’s big recliner and examined the TV tray stand next to it. Grandpa kept his shaving kit there. I lifted the mirror and took on the task of turning the little mirror toward the sunlight that came in through one of those small windows. As I angled the mirror, I was able to reflect the light to the opposite wall. I was surprised how I could reflect the light into the darkest corners of the living room. It was quite fun!

As God’s people we, too, can reflect the light… of Christ! Not with mirrors but with our actions, words, and attitudes. We are not the light. Only Jesus is the light. We are but conduits of the life and light Jesus can give to the world. As John reflected the attention on Jesus rather than on himself, he exclaimed that Jesus is the one who can take away our sins. What great news! We can find forgiveness, grace, hope and fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. On our own we can’t do much, but with Jesus we can do all things. We can give this promise of forgiveness and hope to a world so desperately seeking to find purpose, fulfillment, and peace.

As Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” God bless your week!