Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he told His followers, “…go out into all of the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature”. He didn’t say, “go relax and be merry”. We all have a duty to spread the flame of Christ’s love because if it doesn’t get passed on, it will fade out.
I love the tradition at the Olympics where the torch is passed from city to city, starting in Olympia, Greece and ending at the place where the Olympics will be held. Multiple torches are carried, so that if one torch is extinguished, it can be relit from another torch. Jesus is like the original flame in Olympia and we are the torch bearers.
Jesus said, “I have come to set the world on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” I too wish the hearts of the world were already on fire for God. Unfortunately, most of the hearts of the world are lukewarm at best right now. The feeling from most people is that as long as they are a “good person”, they will be fine. Why settle for good when we can be great. Our hearts should be burning for Jesus so much that we are willing to make big sacrifices and changes in our lives in order to be closer to Him.
Our flame will never be as bright as Jesus’, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t let it burn as bright as it can be. If we aim high, we will end up being excellent or acceptable. If we aim for acceptable, we will end up being mediocre or worse. When we show love to others, we pass the torch of Jesus’ love to them and light a fire in their hearts. This fire will burn and grow inside them creating a longing in their soul for the true source of the fire which is Jesus.
