LifeLink Devotional

Monday, October 26, 2020

On Saturday, as I drove to minister to a family who had lost a loved one, I heard an announcer on a Christian radio station make a comment about being a reflection of Jesus to others. I have probably used that terminology myself, but for some reason when she said it, it made me wonder if it was biblically accurate. Are we a reflection of Jesus?

After doing a lengthy word study, seeking to find the verses where the word reflection is used, I couldn’t find any references to us being a reflection of Jesus. There are multiple modern translations that use the word reflection to describe how they think we are to reveal the glory of God to others, but the usage is not supported by the best translation of the original language. In my limited study on the subject, I cannot find biblical support for the idea that we are reflectors of the glory of God.

Now before you start yelling at me, let me also say clearly that while we are not reflectors of God’s glory, we are bearers of His glory. The distinction is critical. There is a huge difference between a reflector of light and a producer of light. We are not designed to be reflectors. We do not reflect light from an outside source.  We shine with the Light of Jesus Christ in us.

In John 8:12. Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus gave us His eternal light, and it shines from within us.

Earlier in His ministry, Jesus had taught the crowds this truth. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 

The problem with reflectors is that they don’t care what the source of light is, they simply let whatever light is available bounce off of them and give the appearance that they are shining. They don’t even reflect an honest image of the light they took in. They only shine with the color that is already in them. Some people may be good reflectors, but reflectors make bad lights.

Not so with those who are in Christ. We no longer reflect the light of the world because we carry in us the Light of the world. We emit true light. We shine with the glory of God. At least we are supposed to.

Don’t settle for being a reflector. The eternal Spirit of Jesus Christ dwells in you, and daily is transforming you into a brilliant source of Light in a dark world. Let the Glory of Jesus shine forth!

Pastor John