Dear Members and Friends of St. John,
The Leonardo da Vinci painting, “Mona Lisa,” does not sit
in a private home where only the owners can enjoy its intrigue and beauty. This famous masterpiece is prominently
displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, where any who visit the museum can
consider the famous smile of the woman in the picture. In other words, the beauty of a great
painting is not to be hidden, but to be shared.
Jesus told His disciples something similar in His “Sermon
on the Mount.” He instructs His disciples
that because of their relationship with Him, they have something to share, not
to hide.
“14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and
put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to
everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew
5:14-16)
The light which followers of Jesus have to share is Jesus
Himself. He is the “light of men . . . [that]
shines in darkness.” (John 1:4-5) Jesus
is “THE Light of the world” (John 8:12) which shines in this dark world of sin
and of evil. In the face of evil, Jesus
is holy and righteous. In this world of
selfishness and hatred, Jesus is sacrificial love. In this world of guilt, Jesus brings
forgiveness. In this world of death,
Jesus brings life. He is “The Life.”
(John 14:6)
So, like the Mona Lisa is not hidden but displayed,
Christians naturally want to share Jesus and His love and His affect on our
lives. How to share the Light of the
World is the question we ask ourselves.
There are some examples of large numbers of people coming to faith at
one time. In the book of Jonah the whole
city of Ninevah came to repentance and acknowledged God. In Acts 2, 3000 people came to faith and were
baptized on Pentecost Day as the Holy Spirit powerfully filled God’s people. But, most often the good news of Jesus, the
Light of the World, is shared on a personal, one-to-one basis.
So, family members have brought family members to know
and believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin for eternal life. Friends have shared their faith and hope in
Jesus with friends, and allowed God’s Spirit to work faith. Sometimes a “random act of kindness” becomes
an opportunity to witness to a stranger the reason for that kindness, the
underserved love a Christian believer receives in Jesus.
For a Christian, sharing Jesus is not like selling a
product. That would be using friendships
and relationships as a vehicle to accomplish a purpose we desire, but others may
not want. But, when we love someone,
when we are friends with someone, we share ourselves, and in turn others share
themselves with us. A Christian is a
person who is changed by the love and the power and the grace of Jesus. So, when we share who we are, we are also sharing
with others the person whom Jesus made us to be. When a Christian shares themselves, they
naturally also share Jesus.
This is a long introduction to talk about some sharing of
Jesus I did last week. Somehow, I have discovered
that I really enjoy fishing. Catching is
even better, but just being outdoors, by the water, looking for fish, and
seeing the other wonders of nature which God created, all this brings a peace
and a joy to my heart.
From August 6 to August 13 I got to go fishing 5 times! Once, on Wednesday before work, I had been
asked to take someone fishing, but then they couldn’t go. I went fishing anyway. However, the other four times I went fishing I
took someone who had indicated they were interested in a fishing trip. When I take people fishing I get to share a
part of me that I enjoy, but I also get to create or build relationships. And when I share, I hope and pray and believe
that Jesus who loves me and saves me is also shared with my family and friends.
My doctoral dissertation in 2008 was entitled, “Fishing
for Men While Fishing With Men.” This
dissertation was not so much a theory to be tested, but more so a lesson I had
learned. When I share the things I love
with others, I can also share with others the grace and love Jesus has given
me.
Fishing is not the only way to build relationships. My wife likes to sew and to quilt, and enjoys
sharing her gifts and her talents with others.
But, when she teaches another person to sew, or when she works with
someone on a quilt, Kathy is also sharing herself. And the person Kathy is has been greatly
influenced by God’s love for her in Jesus.
So when Kathy teaches sewing, she also shares Jesus.
Has Jesus changed your life for the good? Would you like to “let your light shine”
before others? What are the joys of your
life? Think of how you can share your
passions with others. As you share, may
Jesus shine through you!
A Child of God, Letting the Light of Jesus Shine Through Me
While Fishing,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. It was a
really good week for fishing. In fact,
last week may have been the best week I ever had in the Mat-Su for catching
salmon. Here are some pictures.
· I took Sara Guhl, daughter, Ellen, and grandson, Gaelen
fishing on Monday, August 6. https://photos.app.goo.gl/BErYuC7UnYMLewbUA
· I was supposed to take my daughter Mary fishing early
Wednesday, August 8. However, she had
work, so I went by myself. https://photos.app.goo.gl/gdnDK7pGchtAunDg7
· I took Pastor Jake Dickerhoff (Beautiful Savior Lutheran,
Anchorage), his dad, Scott, and his sons, Griffin and Oliver, fishing on
Friday, August 10. https://photos.app.goo.gl/2jz3fXPEYTS1TQc79
· I took my daughter, Mary, and Dave Nufer and his daughter,
Kaycee, fishing on Saturday, August 11. https://photos.app.goo.gl/hoCTGkJSonqThvg98
· I took Kym Miller and Ethan Mirly fishing on Monday, August
13. Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/25qD7NfsfZrBsyNM9
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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am
sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and
friends whose e-mails I have. (I am regularly adding new names of friends
and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.) However, if you do not
want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your
name off my list for this message.
******
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