The Color of Love
There has been an unusual display of the incredible aurora recently which has led me to many gospel insights. I've shared some of these thoughts with a number of unbelievers* but now I'm asking the Lord for wisdom to encourage Christians to use these truths in conversational witness. When I mention the auroras to Christians they usually acknowledge my observation that these eye-catching events declare God's glory as the psalmist noted in Psalm 19:1. But is that enough? It is one thing to agree that these colorful celestial displays reflect God's magnificent power and beauty. But don't they also show God's love? Can't they lead to meaningful conversation with unbelievers?
I believe these colorful displays are, indeed, evidence of God's goodness and love. As human beings made in God's image we express loving creativity by choosing to wrap gifts to our loved ones in colorful paper when we celebrate. How hard is it to imagine that God would take delight in splashing color across the sky? Think of rainbows, auroras and sunsets or even birds and butterflies. These things show that God loves the beauty of color in his creation and that he also made us with a special capacity to appreciate such beauty.
Consider this thought: the auroras are not unlike the stunningly beautiful descriptions in Revelation 21 pointing to our future hope of a fully restored new heaven and new earth. As noted in 'Reflections on the Auroras and the solar eclipse', colorful aurora displays could be compared to the brilliant multicolored jewels adorning the future foundations of the new Jerusalem which God lovingly prepares as the home of the Lamb and his bride. This wedding imagery mentioned in Revelation 21 points to the surpassing love which Jesus has shown for his bride, the church. As stated by Jesus himself, “Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13) And this is precisely what Jesus did when he gave his life as a ransom for us, dying on the cross as the “Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world.” Many unbelievers aren't aware that Jesus is called the Lamb and aren't familiar with the backstory behind the title, Lamb, mentioned 19 times throughout Revelation. (cf. Genesis 22:8,14) Obviously the expression, 'the Lamb who was slain' in Revelation 13:8 highlights Christ's sacrificial death on the cross which is the crux of the gospel.
How can we use ideas like these to enhance our witness, making our conversations more appealing, thought-provoking and effective? A conversation that begins with the mention of the aurora or rainbow or even a sunrise/sunset can move along to the idea of a loving creator God. Then the question can be asked, “If God celebrates his love for us with such beautiful displays of color what other ways has he shown his love for us? And this is when we can speak about what God did sending Jesus to die for our sins as well as his future plans for his spotless, beautiful bride. In conclusion, let's not miss out on the joyous privilege of inviting our lost neighbors to consider the love of God, put their faith in Jesus and come to 'the wedding feast of the Lamb.' (Revelation 21:2; 19:6-9; cf. Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:14-30)
All Bible quotes are taken from the New Living Translation unless otherwise indicated.
If these insights have inspired/challenged you or if you have questions please write me here. I look forward to hearing from you.
Footnote
* Here is something I've shared with many people as a teaser pointing them to the article, 'Reflections on the auroras and the solar eclipse.'
Millions around the world have recently admired beautiful displays of the aurora borealis, prompting someone to say, “Nothing quite beats seeing the northern lights in all their glory.” But where do these magnificent scenes come from? Are they just random or do they point to the artistry of a Creator as celebrated by the psalmist, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of his hands”? God himself is brilliant and beautiful beyond anything else. He is the One who deserves our adoration and true worship. ... https://tinyurl.com/yjfz7zej
Endnote: The great wedding feast (Matthew 22:2-14)
Jesus said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!
“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.
“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Both the Lamb's wedding feast described in Revelation and the Great Banquet featured in Matthew 22 include a warning about God's holy wrath and judgment. This kind of message is unpopular today, but it is consistent with Jesus who was “full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) It would be neglectful and blameworthy of me, therefore, if I did not conclude by giving everyone who reads this article an urgent call to repent in view of coming judgment. For anyone who has responded to God's call to believe in the Lamb of God, thus qualifying to enter the banquet, there is another urgent call, “Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.” (Matthew 22:9) A helpful explanation of the parable of the great banquet is available here.
Other articles you may wish to read which are relevant to this piece are;