Scripture for the Week: Luke 2:29-32

Introduction

For a detailed introduction to this series, see the Introduction in the Week 1 or Week 2 devotions.  The idea is to live with the Scripture for the Week every day through the whole week.  The devotion may either be done by yourself or with someone else.  Good conversations will almost certainly come from sharing this with someone else.

Devotion

This week, I encourage you to read the verse for the week above along with Isaiah 42:1-7, Isaiah 49:1-6, and Ephesians 5:8-14a.

All of these Scriptures speak about “the light” and what it means to “live as children of the light.”

Take some time to consider what “light” is.  To do this, light a candle in the middle of the day.  Light a candle at night with lights on, then with lights off.  What difference does it make to have other competing light sources versus one source?  Especially when the lights are off, look at the candle, but also observe what the light does to the rest of the room.  Where are the shadows?

Take what you have experienced and consider what light is in these passages of Scripture.  Before you rush too quickly and answer “Jesus”, think about what Isaiah says about Israel being called to be a light.  What is it about Jesus that brings light?

What does Paul mean when he says: “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light” (Ephesians 5:8)?  Notice, he doesn’t say “you are in the light”, but “you are light”.

What difference, if any, does it make to living in the light as opposed to being light?