Today’s Bible Reading:
Genesis 11:1-13:4; Matthew 5:1-26; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 1:24-28
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
I guess I am not quite ready to leave the idea of the Light of the World just yet. Have you ever really thought about what Jesus has said here? Why am I more comfortable with Him saying in John 8, “I am the Light of the world” than with Him saying here in Matthew “You are the light of the world”? I am truly a shy person by nature. Being a light set on a lampstand for all to see is not something my nature craves. And yet, now that I am a follower of Jesus I lay aside my old nature to be made into the image of Christ. How much more comfortable it would be for me to hide my light under a basket; but that would be a foolish thing to do according to Jesus, “Who does that?”
We still live in a world of darkness. We don’t have to spend much time confirming that is true. So what does it mean to be the light of the world? I guess the short answer; it means I let the Light of Christ shine through. And in a sense isn’t that what Jesus did for us-He is the Light of the World because, He spoke for God the Father, He was sent from God the Father and He returned to God the Father, He is one with God the Father. His authority was not an earthly one, but it came directly from God. If I, being made into the image of Christ…if I am the bearer of His image does this not give me boldness to be a light of the world? To shine in the darkness with the light of Jesus? To proclaim His message of grace to all? As I begin to walk in this new year that is my prayer. That I will not hide my light but place myself in such a way as to give light to all those around me. And I do this not for my own glory-for neither did Jesus seek to glorify Himself but rather to glorify God the Father who is in heaven. To Him be the glory.
We still live in a world of darkness. We don’t have to spend much time confirming that is true. So what does it mean to be the light of the world? I guess the short answer; it means I let the Light of Christ shine through. And in a sense isn’t that what Jesus did for us-He is the Light of the World because, He spoke for God the Father, He was sent from God the Father and He returned to God the Father, He is one with God the Father. His authority was not an earthly one, but it came directly from God. If I, being made into the image of Christ…if I am the bearer of His image does this not give me boldness to be a light of the world? To shine in the darkness with the light of Jesus? To proclaim His message of grace to all? As I begin to walk in this new year that is my prayer. That I will not hide my light but place myself in such a way as to give light to all those around me. And I do this not for my own glory-for neither did Jesus seek to glorify Himself but rather to glorify God the Father who is in heaven. To Him be the glory.
May grace, peace, and mercy abound,
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