2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NRSV)
Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 on biblegateway.com
Verse 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. Verse 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Verse 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. Verse 6For it is the God who said, "Let light 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.
Devotion
During the Season of Epiphany, there is much reflection on light—the light of the star that led the Magi to worship and present their gifts to the new born Jesus, the spiritual "light" that came to those who sought out Jesus, the light of seeing and hearing, the light of healing and wholeness and the light of forgiveness that makes life whole.
The Apostle Paul notes how the darkness of this world keeps us from seeing the light of the good news of Jesus as Savior and Lord. Darkness seems to pervade all of our lives. Political actions, economic swings, health crises and the cost of essential health care—all of these can get in the way of sharing the love and expressing the joy of life with God through faith in Jesus.
The upcoming season of Lent will again remind us that it is not in the easy circumstances that we know joy, love and peace. These come, as we know, through believing in and living with our Savior and Lord who suffered and died, who was raised from death and is with us always.
Prayer
Living and Loving God, open our lives—eyes, ears and minds—to see the light that does shine in the darkness. Remove from us all that keeps us from seeing light in the face of Jesus. Amen.