Conduits Of Light Or Obstacles

Commentary on Second Quarter Sabbath School Lesson #12

As I wrote this commentary, I noticed how all around me there was light. Actually, without light I could have not written it. I can view the earth with all the details in nature because there is light. That is the way God established it in Genesis. "Let there be Light," He said. We can see the moon because the light of the sun reflects on it. However, if the light is absorbed then we do not see the object we are looking at. Sometimes the object will not let light through. In this case, it creates a shadow opposite the point of the light's origination. The object becomes an obstacle in the path of the light.
Depending on the intensity of the light and the size of the object, some shadows can be very dark. Light can create heat, and the absence of direct light can create cool temperatures. Such is the case when the shadow is the shade of a tree.

Jesus is the Light of the world (John 9:5.) He commands us: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee" (Isaiah 60:1). Jesus has revealed Himself and His character to us through the Bible and through the Prophetic writings of Ellen G. White. When He shines on us we either reflect His light through us or absorb it all and create a shadow. We either become a conduit of Light or an obstacle. Of course, Jesus wants us to be co! nduits of Light that "… men … may see your good works, (His good works in you by faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit) and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16.)

When Jesus came to this planet He chose to shine among His chosen ones. They apparently had chosen to live in darkness, while claiming to live in the Light. Christ read to them Isaiah 61:1-2:

Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD
hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isaiah 61:2 - To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD…

After&n! bsp;He read He sat down "And He began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:21). At first, the reception was arm. Ellen G. White says:

His impressive manner and the wonderful import of His words thrilled the hearers with a power they had never felt before. The tide of divine influence broke every barrier down; like Moses, they beheld the invisible. As their hearts were moved upon by the Holy Spirit, they responded with fervent amens and praises to the Lord. DA, p. 237

But, there was a change of heart when He mentioned that it was to himself that
the scriptures referred. Ellen White adds:

"But when Jesus announced, 'This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears, they were suddenly recalled to think of themselves, and of the claims of Him who had been addressing them. They, Israelites, children of Abraham, had been represented as in bondage. They had been addressed as prisoners to be delivered from the power of evil; as in darkness, and needing the light of truth. Their pride was offended, and their fears were aroused. The words of Jesus indicated that His work for them was to be altogether different from what they desired. Their deeds might be investigated too closely. Notwithstanding their exactness in outward ceremonies, they shrank from inspection by those clear, searching eyes." Page 237

They asked, "Who is this Jesus?" They refused to believe He was the Promised One – The Light. Ellen White says:

"The words of Jesus to His hearers in the synagogue struck at the root of their self-righteousness, pressing home upon them the bitter truth that they had departed from God and forfeited their claim to be His people. Every word cut like a knife as their real condition was set before them. They now scorned the faith with which Jesus had at first inspired them. They would not admit that He who had sprung from ! poverty and lowliness was other than a common man." Page 239

God wanted the Israelites to be Light bearers to the Heathen (Courage and Conflict, p. 236). But, instead of becoming Conduits of God's Light, they became obstacles. This attitude of the Jews created a dark and cold shadow upon the Gentiles. The Jews kept God away from the very people He had chosen them to reach.

What about us? Are we being a conduit of the Light or an obstacle? If someone approached us and said, "You have it all wrong. This is what God is truly telling us." How would we receive this? How would we react? Would we think, "Who is this fellow? Does he not know who I am? I am a Seventh Say Adventist. I have the truth. I am a Sabbath Keeper. I am a vegetarian." Who does he think he is?" Would this be our attitude or would we humbly pray to God to find out if there is any Light in what the person says? Beware, we may think we are a conduit of Light, while we are an
obstacle.

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