Today’s Reading: Numbers 1-8:4; Mark 4:1-25; Revelation 1:12-20; Psalm 80

Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward. — Exodus 25:37

While Moses was on the mountain, God gave him detailed instructions regarding the building of a holy sanctuary where God could live among the people of Israel. Those instructions included specific patterns for every piece that furnished the Tabernacle. Each detail had a purpose.

The Lord said to Moses, “Give Aaron the following instructions: When you set up the seven lamps in the lampstand, place them so their light shines forward in front of the lampstand.” So Aaron did this. He set up the seven lamps so they reflected their light forward, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. The entire lampstand, from its base to its decorative blossoms, was made of beaten gold. It was built according to the exact design the Lord had shown Moses. — Numbers 8:1-4

SO THEIR LIGHT SHINES FORWARD

Consider with me the importance of the seven lamps and why their light needed to shine forward. There was an intentionality to direct the light in such a way that others would see it — that they would be drawn to the light. The light had significance and it was meant to be cast forward for all to see. There are many New Testament passages where Jesus’ teaching helps us understand God the Father, and his words in the gospel of Mark help us understand the importance of the direction of the light.

Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” — Mark 4:21-23

This parable of the lamp came right after Jesus had told the large crowd of people the parable of the farmer spreading seed (Mark 4:14-20). The analogy referred to the sharing of God’s word with others, and to the various ways people receive the truth of God’s word. To those who hear and accept God’s word, there is a responsibility to continue planting seeds so that the harvest multiplies in the lives of others. We are to shine our light forward, to place our lamp on a stand for others to see.

SO THE WHOLE WORLD CAN SEE

Just like the lampstands were built by design, we are also created with a purpose. We are to be a light in a world full of darkness. We are meant to reflect the light of God in such a way that the lives of others are impacted by our radiance.

When the apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos, he heard a loud voice telling him to write down everything he was about to see. The Lord had a message for seven churches, and He was asking John to absorb the message and relay it to the church. This revelation came while John was worshiping in the Spirit.

When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

“Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen. This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” — Revelation 1:12-20

Church, we are a lampstand; we have been commissioned to be a light in this world. We were designed to let the light of God shine through us to a dark and hurting world. They are hungry for the message God has given us, and it is our responsibility to SHINE THE LIGHT FORWARD so that they can find salvation in Christ Jesus.

Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. — John 12:44-46

Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
Make your face shine down upon us.
Only then will we be saved. – Psalm 80:16