December 08 | The Parable of the Two Lighthouses
Matthew 22:23-33 (NLT)
23 That same day Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question: 24 “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies without children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name.’ 25 Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children, so his brother married the widow. 26 But the second brother also died, and the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them. 27 Last of all, the woman also died. 28 So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her.”
29 Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. 30 For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.
31 “But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead—haven’t you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead.”
THE PARABLE OF THE TWO LIGHTHOUSES
A lighthouse was the focal point of a beautifully maintained oceanfront park. Throughout the summer season, many visitors would gather there to enjoy the lighthouse and all the amenities that the park offered. On a sunny day, the lighthouse stood picturesque against the bright blue skies of summer. It was easy to appreciate with its every detail polished and meticulously preserved. Those adventurous enough to climb its 262 steps, enthusiastically expressed their love of the view from its near 180-foot gallery. The park had the best beaches in the area, and a post card worthy picnic grove that bustled with the activity of smiling faces every day. Two well-stocked shops were retrofitted into the old keeper-house and a small museum finished off its bottom floor. On the walls of the gift shop, a visitor could find, what seemed like, limitless trophies, reminding them of the grand effort expended to restore the lighthouse. There were posters, small figurines and volumes of books, even dated Christmas tree ornaments and a professionally framed photograph commemorating its new found glory.
A day came when the lighthouse was desperately needed. Souls, lost at sea, needed its guiding light. A call went out to the lighthouse keeper, and as was his usual practice, he was nearby and ready to act. But when he arrived at the lighthouse, he did not get the welcome he expected. Instead, an angry security guard blocked his way. Threatening the keeper, he pointed to a well-lit sign and a long list of rules. In large bold print, the last one read, CLOSED AT DUSK.
Then, the keeper remembered that there was another lighthouse nearby. One that had been long forgotten by the public. He hurried to that location and found it in bad disrepair. Access was difficult because the site was badly overgrown with weeds and brush. Even with the setting sun, it was easy to notice that vandals had done their worst. It was covered in graffiti and all but one of its windows broken. To his surprise though, the door was unlocked. He entered and began his accent to the top, taking care to bring with him the oil, the fire, and the tools he would need to rekindle its light. Fully conscious of the seriousness of the moment, he quickly reached the top. With hands very skilled at this work, he soon restored the lighthouse to its true purpose. As the moment needed, the darkness of that night was conquered by the power of its light.
“You are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God.” – Matt. 22:29
The Sadducees, who desperately needed the power of the resurrection, had rejected the very idea of it. They chose instead to live in spiritual darkness without the life that Jesus was offering. His instruction to search the Scriptures and to believe in God’s power, wasn’t given any thought. They were content with living only for the sake of outward appearances, much like the 1st lighthouse.
“He is not the God of the dead but of the living” – Matt.22:32
The God of the Living is always at work. Anyone who receives him, finds new life. He empowers his children to join him in his ministry to us. Those who know him as the Living God, understand their complete dependence upon him. He alone can restore, to each one of us, our true purpose. Our availability is what he seeks, as depicted by the 2nd lighthouse.
—Larry Maloney