Keepers of the Light

In the wilderness, after the Children of Israel were brought up out of Egypt, God gave them directions to build a Tabernacle. This Tabernacle would be where they could approach the God who had delivered them and now wished to dwell among them. But because they were still sinners like the rest of humanity, they could only approach God in His way, by His rules, which was only through atoning sacrifice and His appointed priesthood. As the priests served in the Tabernacle, representing the people, they were to be responsible for the items found within it. One item of great importance was the "lampstand" or what is called a "minora" in Hebrew.

The lampstand was a very practical part of the Tabernacle, in that it was the only light to be found in the Tent of Meeting, directly in front of the Holy of Holies. Without the light of the lampstand, no one could see the way into the presence of God. But symbolically, the lampstand also reflected God's own nature as "the Light of the World." It had a central stem with six branches and, therefore, when it was lit, it had seven equal flames. The number seven is a symbol of divine completion, of something that only God could accomplish, such as the creation of the Heavens and the Earth.

The lampstand was an important part of the Tabernacle, not only because its light was needed, but also because the light represented God Himself. That is why God made keeping the light of the lampstand a high priority for the priests. God told Moses, "And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually in the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony. Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel." (Exodus 27:20-21, NKJV)

When Jesus came to Earth, He declared, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12, NKJV) Jesus also said, "While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." (John 12:36, NKJV) To believe in and follow Jesus as "the light of the world," is to start reflecting that light in your own life as a "son of light." Paul confirmed this by writing, "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who 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 4:6, NKJV) Peter went on to connect this with the office that we have all been placed in by faith. Peter declared that "...you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

As those called to reflect His light and to be members of His "royal priesthood," our top priority is clear. Jesus told us, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Mattew 5:14-16, NKJV) This takes us back to the Tabernacle and the lampstand there.

The priests in the Tabernacle were to keep the light burning continually all through the night. They could not leave the lamp unattended and expect it to burn on its own. Every thought of the lampstand should have brought up the reminder: "The light must not go out!" Without the light of the lampstand, the Tent of Meeting would have fallen into darkness, leaving the people with no hope of drawing near to God.

As a royal priesthood through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord, the Church's main duty is to be keepers of the light. Jesus is the source of light for all to see in the spiritual darkness of this world. There is no other light that can lead mankind into God's presence and His salvation. But that light will not shine without our being faithful to our duty! The only way that people will be saved from the storms of life and the darkness that surrounds them spiritually is if they see the light that will lead them to safety in Jesus Christ!

Our responsibility is similar to that of the lighthouse keepers of the past. If we refuse to be a part of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ, its like having a lighthouse, but refusing to ever light it. The people around us are adrift on the sea of life in the midst of a raging storm and in darkness that is complete. They want to find a way to safety, but they have no way of knowing which direction to go in to find it. We are nearby to them and have the only lighthouse that can lead them home. If we refuse to shine our light, we are condemning them to a certain death in Hell. Instead of doing our duty, so often our actions say, "Let them sink to the depths! I don't care!" But to be faithful keepers of the light, our actions must say, "The light must not go out!"

"Lord Jesus, please help me to shine your light today. Please help me to care about others they way that You have cared about me. I saw Your light and I now have Your light, so please help to spread that light wherever you take me! Amen."