Flashlight
Originally scheduled for
August 28
Military veterans
will recall that the burden of military life is lightened by various
humorous definitions. One such definition comes from the U.S. Navy:
a flashlight is a cylindrical object in which one stores dead
batteries. The uses of such an object are somewhat limited. It is
useful as an object of wrath and naval language; if you happen to be
trapped in a capsized battleship it is of some use in tapping out an
SOS.
As useful as a
flashlight is, the Christian knows that he is to "walk in the
light." Most of us will remember what that light is: the word of
God. Those of sufficient age will recall the King James version of
this, "thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
(Psalm 119:105) We are therefore to study that word so that we may
have the light. More than that, however, we are also told that God
is light (1st John 1:5). It seems then that walking in the light
means that we must know God. How is it that we can know God?
·
We know him from our
study of the Scriptures.
·
We know him when we
imitate his son, Jesus Christ.
·
We know him from the
Holy Spirit within us.
·
Often enough, we
know him by watching others who know him.
But there is one
other way that we know him. It is by symbolic communication. Human
beings use symbols to convey the highest and deepest of meaning; for
example, many of us are wearing wedding rings. These communicate a
depth and breadth of love which often cannot be expressed in words.
In communion we meet two of these symbols:
·
The first is the
bread, which is the symbol of Christ's body. Is there to remind us
of the bodily suffering he went through on the cross. It is by his
pain that we are given his light.
·
The second is the
cup, the symbol of Christ's blood. The Red Cross tells us to "give
life, give blood." Blood is life itself; it is by Christ's death
that we are given salvation.
These two symbols
teach us the price of Light in our lives.
Consider well:
without Christ’s sacrifice, there would be no light in our lives.
A working flashlight is important; how much more the Light of
Life itself?
