Healing Rays of Righteousness

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV). Read that verse again slowly and thoughtfully.

This was one of the scriptures supporting our pastor’s message yesterday, “Christ Among Us, Showing Us Justice.” As I contemplated this verse, two words, “message” and “power” challenged my thinking, and I heard a new message enlarging my usual perspective of the cross.

Jesus’ sufferings and crucifixion death on a cross as it relates to our salvation from sin, is front and center in our thoughts and teachings during the weeks of Lent, and rightly so. But there is an additional, equally important, and powerful message from the cross. It is this; Jesus’ death by crucifixion was not only necessary for our eternal salvation, it is also the consequence of being LIGHT and exposing the many dark evils of injustices, racial disparities, and religious hypocrisies in the world around him.

The prophets looked into the future and wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2). The gospel writer, John, introduces Jesus by writing, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. And in chapter three, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Then John records Jesus’ own declaration in chapter eight, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world.”  (John 1:4-5, 3:19, 8:12).

Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus was LIGHT, calling out and exposing the evils of disobedience to God’s created order and rule among both the religious and national authorities. It is significant that during the week before his crucifixion and death, Jesus enters Jerusalem as king, goes first to the Temple and exposes its evils of polluted worship behaviors, declaring the religious establishment as weak and limited. Later in the week, standing before powerful Pilate, Jesus again declares himself to be king and reminds Pilate that his authority is weak and limited.

Thus, we can say, with biblical support, that Jesus’ death was the consequence of his being LIGHT, exposing the evils of hypocrisies and lies in both church and state, as well as being necessary for our salvation and reconciliation with God.

But then I remember Jesus saying to his disciples then and now, “You are the light of the world. … … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16). And I begin squirming with “what if” fears, in light of the message I just heard regarding Jesus’ death on a cross being the consequence of being LIGHT. I prefer less risky witness activities, and so pray, “O God, strengthen me in being your LIGHT in my world.”

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 4, 2024 – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – Ray M. Geigley