Being Like Him - a 40 Day Lenten DevotionalSample

Radiance

When Moses spent time with God, his face was radiant that he had to veil his face (Exodus 32:29-35). We see a similar instance happening to Jesus who was spending time at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2). Aaron’s blessings on the people of Israel said, “The Lord make His face to shine upon you” (Numbers 6:25). The Godhead family truly desires that we reflect His radiance. But what does that mean?

When people tell me that my son looks like me, I truly get excited about it. He carries my DNA and to know his face reflects mine deepens the connection of his belongingness to me. The Godhead family, who created us in His image, wanted us to be His representative to the world. Sin marred His image in us but Jesus restores His image in us through the cross when we receive Him.

Jesus always radiated His father to us and He wants us to radiate Him to the world. Jesus wants us to be the “light of the world”. God desires His radiance to be seen through His children who have encountered the truth. John 3:21 reminds us, “whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God” The Lord is the one who can “make His face to shine upon us”. Only when we spend time with God, the radiance of His truth will shine through us. The truth of God exposes to us the areas of our life that are dark and secretive. Our witness should always be an overflow of our time with Him and it is then people can experience the radiance of God through our life. All other radiance can have a form of light, but that light does not make our Savior known to the world. Instead, it attracts more glory to us and our name. Unless our deeds make our Father in heaven known to the world, we are stealing God His rightful glory and praises.

Some years ago, I was invited to lead a Vacation Bible School (VBS) in Dubai. My prayer before I left India was that people will see and hear ‘Jesus’ and not ‘me’. Because it was a midnight flight, I rested at one of my relatives’ home and then called the host Church pastor the next day. Surprisingly, the pastor was disappointed that I did not call him as soon as I had reached. He hinted about the great favor he was showing in inviting me. No explanation of mine satisfied him. I impulsively wanted to tell him that I would like to go back and did not want his favor. But the Lord reminded me that 600 children were waiting for “Jesus” and “His words” and not mine. I apologized and carried on with the work that was entrusted to me. Inspite of the pastor’s resentment until the end, it turned out to be a great VBS. My dependency on God was intensified and He was indeed glorified.

Whom are we radiating in our life and ministry? Is it about Jesus or us? Let our life and ministry be an outflow of our time with Him so that He will be seen and known, and all the praises and glory that are due to Him be His alone.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us radiate you and your truth in our life and ministry. Make your face shine upon me today. In Jesus name, Amen.