TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. Exodus 25:31
Read: Exodus 25:23-30
Listen: Exodus 25
TODAY’S MESSAGE
God designs a beautiful, intricate, golden lamp for his dwelling. The detailed ornamentation makes this lamp appear like a blossoming tree that produces light, echoing the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. Light and life go together from the opening pages of the Bible. God speaks, “Let there be light,” and life begins (Genesis 1:3). God uses light as a metaphor for truth. As his people approach God’s presence, the lamp is a reminder of the light and life God desires to reclaim for them as he dwells in their midst.
The Apostle John highlights this metaphor of light and life throughout his account of Jesus’s life. John describes Jesus as “life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (see John 1:1-4). Jesus stands in the temple courtyard, God’s dwelling, and declares he is the light of the world and anyone who follows him will have the light of life (John 8:12).
Jesus calls his followers to be his light to the world. We shine his light shine when our attitudes and actions reflect Jesus’s character. We show the world what God is like as we respond to hurts and frustrations with grace, kindness, patience and self-control rather than anger or spite. We share his light with a hurting world as we inconvenience ourselves for others by serving their needs.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Ask God where you can shine his light this season. Maybe it’s visiting a lonely neighbor, extending grace to a challenging person, helping a family in need or volunteering at one of our Christmas services. Make a plan and begin to take action. Find Christmas service opportunities at adabible.org/ServeChristmas.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is Revelation 5.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
