LET THERE BE LIGHT!
It is the same God that said, "Let there be light shining out of darkness," who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God's glory, the glory on the face of Christ. 2 Cor. 4:6, Jerusalem.
One of my favorite fantasies is that we will get to watch Jesus do Creation week all over again. You know the setting: The earth will just have been cleaned up with a consuming fire, lying all barren and ready as it was six thousand years ago. The Father will announce, "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21:5). Then Jesus' great voice will sweep across the landscape, creating in its wake green forests and blue lakes teeming with life. Perhaps it will take seven days, just as it did the first time, giving us twenty-four hours to celebrate each step.
Paul's favorite fantasy was only slightly different. He too pictured that great voice saying, "Let there be light!" But instead of suns and stars, he envisioned brilliant truth impacting the minds of men and women--truth about the glorious character of our Father as revealed in Jesus. He longed to see that bright, compelling truth sweeping aside every fragment of darkness--the darkness of Satan-sponsored misunderstanding.
Far from a fantasy, of course, this was Paul's life mission! Nothing meant more to him than that Jesus should be made known. His cherished definition of the gospel was the "Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Cor. 4:4, Jerusalem). To Paul, there could be no greater news than the discovery of the Father's true character as revealed in Jesus. There was nothing that would be of more benefit to the world, more valuable for mankind to know.
I'm so glad that Paul recognized this glory as being revealed on the face of Jesus. Far beyond words, there is so much that is revealed by one's face. The eyes, the gentle lines around the mouth, even the tilt of the head while listening intently to another speak, can reveal such winning qualities. What a delightful way to dispel the darkness.
The same creative power that could by a spoken word bring to life beings in God's own image could--by becoming the Word--fill their minds anew with truth that could reform their characters into His own likeness. In the final analysis, wouldn't that be even more thrilling to behold than Creation week? Fortunately, we can enjoy them both.
It is the same God that said, "Let there be light shining out of darkness," who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God's glory, the glory on the face of Christ. 2 Cor. 4:6, Jerusalem.
One of my favorite fantasies is that we will get to watch Jesus do Creation week all over again. You know the setting: The earth will just have been cleaned up with a consuming fire, lying all barren and ready as it was six thousand years ago. The Father will announce, "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21:5). Then Jesus' great voice will sweep across the landscape, creating in its wake green forests and blue lakes teeming with life. Perhaps it will take seven days, just as it did the first time, giving us twenty-four hours to celebrate each step.
Paul's favorite fantasy was only slightly different. He too pictured that great voice saying, "Let there be light!" But instead of suns and stars, he envisioned brilliant truth impacting the minds of men and women--truth about the glorious character of our Father as revealed in Jesus. He longed to see that bright, compelling truth sweeping aside every fragment of darkness--the darkness of Satan-sponsored misunderstanding.
Far from a fantasy, of course, this was Paul's life mission! Nothing meant more to him than that Jesus should be made known. His cherished definition of the gospel was the "Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Cor. 4:4, Jerusalem). To Paul, there could be no greater news than the discovery of the Father's true character as revealed in Jesus. There was nothing that would be of more benefit to the world, more valuable for mankind to know.
I'm so glad that Paul recognized this glory as being revealed on the face of Jesus. Far beyond words, there is so much that is revealed by one's face. The eyes, the gentle lines around the mouth, even the tilt of the head while listening intently to another speak, can reveal such winning qualities. What a delightful way to dispel the darkness.
The same creative power that could by a spoken word bring to life beings in God's own image could--by becoming the Word--fill their minds anew with truth that could reform their characters into His own likeness. In the final analysis, wouldn't that be even more thrilling to behold than Creation week? Fortunately, we can enjoy them both.
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