I am a Jesus pusher!!! There is an intriguing verse describing John the Baptist. Jesus uses this same imagery for John, “He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light” (John 5:35). In the Greek language, the statement reads in order of the words, “He (ekeinos) was (en) the (ho) lamp (luchnos),“ describing a state of being. It is not a description of what John did, but who John was. The Greek text then gives two participles: verbs acting as adjectives and modifying “lamp.” They are “burning (kaiomenos) and (kai) shining (phainon).”
The root word for “burning” means “to set on fire, kindle, or consume,” a natural part of the imagery of “light.” We are not only to be light but also to be consumed as we burn. It is in being consumed that we radiate light to make Him visible in our world. The very idea or suggestion of being consumed is opposed to all self-centeredness. Self is about gaining, getting, and achieving. It is never about giving, sharing, and dying, the strange logic of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is in losing that I win; it is in dying that I live. It is in being consumed that others see the “light” of His presence in us. Would you be willing to give your entire life as the vessel through which He could demonstrate Himself? Would you be willing to never think about yourself and be consumed for His glory to shine? In the imagery of “life,” this is called “death.” In the imagery of “resurrection,” this is called “crucifixion.” In the imagery of “freedom,” this is called “slavery.” In the imagery of “forgiveness,” this is called “repentance.” In the imagery of “grace,” this is called “sacrifice.” In the imagery of “love,” this is called “laying down one’s life.” Others must see Jesus in me! I am a Jesus pusher!