Mentoring Manna:  You are the light of the world

© 2003 Pastor Keith Hassell

MM00088

Matthew 5:14-16  “You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

            Light reveals what is hidden in darkness.  Light dispels the deceptions of darkness.  Light brings hope to those who are lost. Light brings illumination to those who grope in darkness.  Light brings sight to those who cannot see.  Jesus said that He is the light of the world.[1]  Yet, He also declared that we are the light of the world.  What did He mean by this?  How can we be the light of the world?

             We are the light of the world in the same sense that the moon illuminates the darkness of our world.  The moon has no light of itself but is a reflection of the light of the sun.  We are to be reflections of the light of the Son of God in the darkness of the world around us.  The light that shines from our lives bears testimony to the Source of light that lives within us. If we are to be a light in this world, then it behooves us as faithful disciples of Christ to let His light into the darkness around us.  Otherwise we would be like the moon on an overcast night.

            Jesus likened us to a city set on a hill. A glimpse of city lights on a hilltop is a much welcome sight for a weary traveler lost in the valleys of life.  Without the light of the city burning brightly in the night sky, many a lost soul could lose hope in the darkness of night and perish just outside the city limits.  In the same way, many souls traveling through this life are looking for the light of hope in the midst of their darkness.  We are to be like a city set on a hill with the light shining.  How many lost souls have crossed our path only to find no light burning?

            Jesus also likened our lives to a lamp in a house.  A lamp is meant to give light in the house.  No one lights a lamp to put in under a basket to hide its light from view.  The purpose of light is to illuminate the house.  Rather than hide the lamp under a basket, the lamp is placed on a lampstand so that the light can benefit all who are in the house.  Because of the light, there is no cause for stumbling.  No only are we to let our light shine like city lights to the lost souls around us, but we are to let our light shine as a lamp among those we know best.  God desires that our loved ones see through our lives the way of the Lord. Of course, when the light is shining in the home, outsiders see it and are drawn to Christ as well!

            How do we let our light shine?  It is through good works. When people experience the love of God demonstrated through our lives, when they see the righteous stands made in commitment to Christ, when they witness the example of happy homes, when they see unselfish giving to help others, when they witness the fellowship of a caring body of believers, they see the light of Christ in our lives. They know that this kind of living is evidence of a higher Source.  The light they see in us causes them to acknowledge and give glory to the God who is the Source of all light.  With this realization comes the greatest opportunity to point them to the good news of Jesus, who is the true Light of the world!

Application:  Are we allowing our light to shine like a city on a hill?  Would lost souls know that they could turn to us in the most desperate times of their life?  Are we allowing the light of Christ to shine in our homes and in our churches?  Do we hide the light to those who are closest to us as we minister to the world around us?  Jesus has called us to be testimonies to His light.  Through our good works in Christ’s name we are to demonstrate that Jesus is the light of the world.  The light we allow to shine from our lives is the platform from which we can declare Jesus with credibility to people still in darkness.  Light shines brightest when the dark is darkest.  Don’t hide His light within you. Let His light shine before men so that they will glorify your Father in heaven.

Prayer:  “Heavenly Father, forgive me for not allowing Your light to burn in me like city lights for the lost who are searching for hope.  Forgive me for not allowing Your light to shine through me around my family and church. I want other to see Your light in me so that they can know You also.  Help me to shine brightly for You.  This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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[1] John 8:12