My friend Mark Medlin was driving home from Missouri, where he had enjoyed his grandson’s double-header. Mark noticed en route a lighted church sign: “Jesus is God’s selfie.” That message blessed Mark, and he shared that beautiful thought with Eileen and me via text message on Independence Day (at 7:41 p.m. here in Massachusetts). That very evening, while admiring Cape Cod Bay, I snapped this photograph before I had a chance to read Mark’s text.
Enter Providence, Stage Right. As I later reflected (pun fully intended) on Mark’s message, I was reminded of a compelling verse (Hebrews 1:3) and its gorgeous description of our Lord Jesus: He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power …
As I celebrated the Fourth of July here in Plymouth, I found the unofficial fireworks over the ocean to be invigorating after a coronavirus shutdown, but what most captivated me was that dazzling moon. That grand celestial body was announcing the glory of God by reflecting the light of the sun. I believe that the Lord of all creation was calling out that night, to every creature: “Worship Me!”
Our Bluegrass State is famously known for some song lyrics: “The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home.” But do we really take it in? Rays of sunlight don’t travel 93 million miles through empty space to go unnoticed, friends! If we’ll only give it a moment’s consideration, we’ll recognize the incredible magnitude of the sun’s power. So it is with Christ. When we take the time to notice His amazing attributes as they’re revealed to us in Scripture, we find ourselves tasting the very character of God. Because Jesus is God’s selfie.
That glorious summer night, not only was the moon reflecting the sunlight, but so was the water. It was as if the sea itself was continuing God’s painting, and stroking the divine paintbrush right in my direction! I was overwhelmed as I began to recognize that others, in every corner of America, were experiencing what I was experiencing. My friend Elena Watkins described the moon as “magical” and uplifting over her Texas lake, and that increases my delight. Joy shared is joy magnified!
Another message came my way via Facebook. My California friend Jan Matz commented on my photo to remind me of something special: wherever we are, God brings the light right to us. He loves each of us that much. Said Jan: “Our God is just like that. He’s very personal.”
I’m so glad that Jesus came. Had we only the sun, moon, and stars, we would know there is a God, but we wouldn’t know His name. Jesus came to live the life that we failed to live, and to die the death that we deserved. FOR US! And He rose again so that His light could shine not just in the heavens, but in our hearts (see 2 Cor 4:6). That brings the gospel message of Hebrews 1:3 full circle.
… After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High …
Saturday was a spectacular day. From across the fruited plain, literally, I was reminded of the beauty and excellence of Christ. Now you have been too. So don’t make the rocks shout His praise because you won’t.
Worship Him!
Pastor Charles
I always appreciate what you write. This is great.
Beautifully written! I needed that tonight!!