North Texas Conference Cabinet Holy Week Devotional For Tuesday

“Be The Light” by Rev. Dr. Vic Casad

John 12: 20-36

Focus: “While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.” 

I saw a news story the other day. It was about a sign painter changing the message on a window of a closed down restaurant in Washington, D.C.  In various letterings, his new sign read: “In the darkest times, we must shine our light a little brighter.”

The Gospel of John keeps telling me over and over that if I believe in Jesus then I am a child of the light. It says if I believe in Jesus as the way, truth, and the life, then I have been given the power to become a child of God, one of his precious points of light.

The Bible keeps reminding me that light overcomes darkness and that I am to let my little light shine:

• on Monday, shine the gift of love;
• on Tuesday, shine the peace above;
• on Wednesday, help me to pray;
• on Thursday, grant me a little more faith;
• on Friday, add a little more grace;
• on Saturday, tell me just what to say; and
• on Sunday, give me the power divine to let my little light shine.

I don’t know about you, but there have been times lately when my little light barely flickers. And then I see or hear about what some of you, my fellow light-bearers, are doing and your spark rekindles me. And I am grateful.

This is Tuesday of Holy Week. The Gospel tells me on this day there were Greek tourists visiting Jerusalem for the Passover who wanted to see Jesus. He gave them a lesson in agriculture. A sown seed must first die in order to be reborn into what it is meant to be. Later, he talked about the coming hour of darkness and the importance of having a light to get through it. And that he was that light and happy to share his light with those who follow him.

The darkness came over the earth three days later, and the light was snuffed out.

On Sunday it burst back into a glorious blaze never to go out again. The world needs this light of faith, hope and love now more than ever: the light of Christ that shines through you and me.

Question for Reflection

• How are you replenishing the oil in your lamp to keep your little light aglow in these dark days? Why not stop right now and sing “This Little Light of Mine.” Come on, you can do it.

Prayer

Lord, in your mercy, in this tenebrous time, help me shine your light a little brighter. Amen.

Rev. Dr. Vic Casad is superintendent of the East District. 

Published: Tuesday, April 7, 2020