"All who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel." Acts 6:15
Stephen was full of faith and power as he did great wonders and signs among the people. They weren't able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. So they spread false rumors about him so they could seize him and take him to the council. But everyone on the council saw the face of an angel when they looked at him. Stephen was so full of the Spirit that everyone could see the light of Jesus in him.
Similarly, the face of Moses of shining when he came down the mountain after talking with the God. (Exodus 34:29-30)
God's light is so bright that Moses was only allowed to look at him through the cleft of a rock. (Exodus 33:22)
Jesus is the Light of the World. (John 8:12)
I only hope that everyone can see the light of Jesus in me, just like that song we sang when I was a child...
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no! I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
That line about hiding the light under a bushel reminds me of this verse...
Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lap and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
I am not the light...no, but, Jesus is the light, and He is shining His light through me.
We are to let Jesus' light shine through us so that others will see.
The problem is that we have to let Him.
Let... That little word has a huge meaning.
Let - to not prevent, to not forbid; to allow, to permit, to give permission to, to enable, to agree to
Yes, I have free will. I have to surrender, to submit, and to obey the Lord. I have to let God work in me and through me. I have to let the Lord shine through me.
We can be afraid and try to hide His light that is in us. Or we can ask God to give us His strength, boldness, and courage to let Him work through us.
I'm also reminded of another song, "Shine Jesus shine" by Graham Kendrick... "As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness, ever changing from glory to glory, mirrored here may our lives tell your story, shine on me."
We have to turn our eyes to Jesus so that he can shine through us.
We are ambassadors for Christ... in Christ we become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
We are only a vessel for God to use, if we make ourselves available and submit to His authority.
Just like Moses had to put a veil over his face, the enemy is putting a veil over the unbelievers trying to blind them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ Jesus, who is the image of God... For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5
Putting a veil over the light does not completely hide the light. Even in the blackest darkest room, the tiniest speck of light can pierce the darkness.
Dear Lord, let your light shine through me! I pray that you fill me with your Holy Spirit. Fill me overflowing. I pray that people see the love of Jesus in me. Give me your words to speak. Give me your love for others. Thank you Lord.
