Mirror
Originally scheduled for March 1
The mirror is an ancient device. It was known
in biblical times, though the object was not as clear in its
reflections as the ones we have today. It’s a matter of ordinary use
the tells us that the small mirror is used to look at small things,
and a large mirror is used to look at large things. We may examine
the large things:
·
You use it to examine the large
things about you. It tells you what you are. If you are tall and
skinny or short and fat, it shows. As far as the physical side of
your existence is concerned, it shows you what others see, and
that’s a very useful thing. If what you see is pleasing, you accept
it as being a picture of what you really are.
·
If a mirror tells you what you are,
it also tells you what you are not. Your author would like to have
the mirror tell him that he is young, dashingly handsome and
surrounded by beautiful women. Unfortunately, I do not have a mirror
with that kind of talent. It tells me that I am not such a person;
mirrors tell you what you are not.
·
Most of us use a mirror to look at
ourselves, but while you’re there note that the mirror also tells
you what is behind you. If you don’t like the scenery in which you
live, don’t blame the mirror.
Of course, what you see in the mirror also
depends on how you use it.
·
If you’re using the mirror to check
the length of your tie, the size of your belly is nothing to notice.
It’s there if you want to see it, but it depends on you.
·
You can also use it as a comparative
device. Suppose you look at yourself in the mirror and say, “well,
that doesn’t look too bad — I’ve seen worse.” You’re looking at
yourself, but what you’re seeing is that Joe is sloppier dresser
that you. It’s a comparison device!
·
Other times, however, you can see
something that you want very much. Charles Revson, the founder of
Revlon cosmetics, once told his sales representatives that “we do
not sell cosmetics — we sell hope.” If things look just right, often
we see hope.
Communion is a mirror to the soul. In taking
communion you are instructed to examine your self, which implies
that you will take action to correct those things which your
self-examination shows to be a problem. So let me ask you this
morning:
·
When you examine yourself, do you see
the obvious? Or do you ignore it?
·
When you examine yourself, do you see
yourself in Christ’s light, or the light of comparison to others?
Beyond all else, when you look at yourself in
communion you need to know that he gave you this as a reminder of
his sacrifice, to be taken regularly, until He comes again. No
matter how wretched the picture you see in that mirror, that mirror
also shows you the hope of the resurrection. Do not be afraid to
look in the mirror and examine yourself, for in the same mirror
there is forgiveness and ultimately resurrection.
