Turn the Light On, Please!
The Parables of Christ • Sermon • Submitted
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Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Introduction:
Introduction:
When Jesus Christ speaks or gives an illustration, He never wastes anything and does not speak here in a manner that those hearing would not have personal knowledge about what is being said.
When Jesus was speaking these words to his listeners on the Mount of Olives, it is possible that they were being said near to or nearly after the celebration of the dedication of the Temple.
The feast first began on the 25th Chisleu, which would be our December.
The average daytime temperature in the land of Israel in the month of December if between 50-57 degrees.
If the timetable is true, it would have been a little brisk, because there would have been a slight breeze on the mountain, but it would have been bearable to sit and listen to Christ.
This would have been the perfect time for Christ to teach on this, but irregardless the people would have certainly connected the analogy.
The feast of the dedication of the Temple after it began in the 25th Chisleu, and lasted eight days.
People would assembly in the synagogues of the places where they resided, so attendance at Jerusalem was not required.
Now, this feast does not have a Biblical origin, but had been instituted by Judas Maccabaeus in 164 B.C.
This was when the Temple, which had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes when he slaughtered a pig on the altar, was once more purified and re-dedicated to the service of Jehovah.
it was also called the “The Dedication of the Altar.”
Josephus, the Jewish historian during the time of Christ, called it simply ‘The Lights.”
Because the culmination of the dedication was the “Illumination of the Temple.”
There were about four parts that took place in the Feast of the Dedication that very much resembled the Feast of Tabernacle.
First, it lasted eight days.
There was the chanting of the Hallel, which is Psalm 113-118.
There was the carrying of palm branches.
Then there was the Illumination of the Temple.
Tradition had it, that, when the Temple-Services were restored by Judas Maccabaeus, the oil was found to have been desecrated.
Only one flagon was discovered of that which was pure, sealed with the very signet of the high-priest.
The supply proved to be just sufficient to feed for one day the Sacred Candlestick, but by a miracle the flagon was continually replenished during the eight days, until a fresh supply could be brought in.
Now, in memory of this, it was ordered the following year, that the Temple be illuminated for eight days on the anniversary of its “dedication.”
This ceremony was extraordinary.
The dedication took place inside of the temple treasury before four massive golden candelabra that were topped with huge torches.
Now, it is said that the Candelabra was as tall as the highest walls of the temple.
Now, it you are wondering how tall the temple wall was; well that was about 30 meters; which converts to about 98 feet.
So, what you have with the illumination of the temple was four massive candelabra about 98 feet each one and they were topped with high torches.
And at the top of these candelabra were mounted great bowls that held 65 liters of oil.
There was a ladder for each candelabrum, and when the evening came, healthy young priests would carry oil up to the great bowls and the light the protruding wick.
Eyewitnesses said that the huge flames that leapt from these torches illuminated not only the temple but all of Jerusalem.
This whole celebration was to commemorate the great pillar of fire that led the people of Israel during their sojourn in the wilderness.
It was in the temple treasury the following morning, with the charred torches still in place, that Jesus Christ would have lifted up His voice and said:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
And I also think that it is very fair to say that when these people were on the mount of Olives listening to Christ say that they are the “light of the world,” that their minds went back to this celebration and the massive illumination of which Christ is talking.
Jesus calls those that are kingdom residents to be “lights” in this dark world.
As we have said before, we are to be the salt of the earth because we live in a decaying world.
We are to be lights in the world, because we live in a dark world.
You, know, John said of Jesus:
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
And just like this dark world hates the light of the World; Christ, it will also hate the lights of the World, believers.
The world is intentionally dark.
Darkness by itself is one thing, but intentional darkness is far worse.
We are the light of the world, and we shine but we do not shine with our light.
Just like the moon does not shine with its own light, it shines with the reflective light of the sun.
There are times when believers shine very brightly as they reflect the light of the son.
There have been times of great enlightenment, such times as those of Paul, Luther, and Wesley.
And there are other times when the Church has only been a thumbnail moon, with very little light shining on the earth.
Whether the brightness is great or small, we reflect the son.
How much are we reflecting the son?
We have been called on by the Lord Jesus Christ to be lights in the world.
To be like those enormous candelabra in the Temple Treasury that not only illuminated the Temple, but illuminated all of Jerusalem.
Thus we are called to be Lights to World.
We want to notice how we are to be lights in the world by breaking this section of Scripture into four parts.
I. The Purpose of the Believer (vs. 14)
I. The Purpose of the Believer (vs. 14)
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
The declaration by Christ is crystal clear concerning our purpose.
A. The Illumination (vs. 14a)
A. The Illumination (vs. 14a)
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Just like those huge candelabra, we are to be radiant brightness in the midst of a dark world.
Now, there is a specific purpose behind us being told that we are to illuminate.
In the Scripture, light is an indication of the true knowledge of God.
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
I am reminded here of a passage in the Gospel of Matthew.
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
You can see very clearly this truth.
The picture that is given here is that the eye is the window that allows the light into the body.
And if the eye is, literally, clear, then the whole body is full of light.
But if your eye is bad, then the whole body is full of darkness.
Since we have been the recipients of light, we are to be the illuminators of that light.
We are to be the vehicles by which the truth of God is given.
The light possessors, become light transmitters.
Collectively believers are “the light.”
Individually they are lights.
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Always remember that we are not lights in ourselves, we are light in the Lord.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Salt is hidden, but light is obvious.
Salt works secretly, while light works openly.
Salt works from within, while light works without.
While salt is largely negative, in that is wards off corruption.
Light is largely positive, it not only reveals what is wrong and false but helps produce what is righteous and true.
Believers are to proclaim the light in a world that is engulfed in darkness.
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
God sheds His light in a dark world through those that have received the light of the Holy Spirit.
We are the light of truth to the world.
We must illuminate that light.
The primary job of the believer is to spread the message of salvation, that the lost may be found.
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
But we are also to shine that light that the saved my be strengthened.
So, our jobs are not just for the lost but they are also for those that are redeemed.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Those who, through the example, message, and prayers of believers, have been converted will show the genuine character of their faith and love by exerting their influence for good in every sphere.
We are to be illuminators of the light of Christ.
Not only illuminations.
B. Illustration (vs. 14b)
B. Illustration (vs. 14b)
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
The point of the illustration here is that those that are to radiate the light of Christ are just like a city that is set on a hill, they are visible, they are plainly seen.
It is quite impossible for a city that it set on a hill to not be noticed and that is the point of what Christ is saying about those people that are Kingdom citizens.
It is impossible for them not to be noticed.
Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones said:
Sermon on the Mount—The Message of the Kingdom The Spiritual Function of Light in the World
“If we find in ourselves a tendency to put the light under a bushel, we must begin to examine ourselves and make sure that it really is ‘light.’ ”3
A believer does not want to hide their light, they are proud of the light and want that light to shine for the glory of the one that loved him and gave himself for him.
A city that is set on a hill is never hidden.
By day the houses and the buildings stand out on the landscape and by night the many lights shining out of its windows make it impossible to miss.
Listen, a secret Christian is as impossible as a hidden light.
Lights are for the purpose of illumination, not to be hidden; to be displayed, not to be covered.
Christians are to be as subtle as salt and as conspicuous light.
God did not give the Gospel of His Son to be the secret, hidden treasure of a few but enlighten every person.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
You see the purpose of those living in the Kingdom.
To illuminate the glory of gospel.
And to be like that city that it is impossible to miss; no matter the time of the day, there is always something there that will caused you to see the city.
And for those those that are living in the Kingdom, you will be noticed as you shine and reflect the light of Christ in your life.
II. The Position of the Believer (vs. 15)
II. The Position of the Believer (vs. 15)
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Jesus speaks and now moves from the purpose of the believer that they are to be lights that are unmistakeable, to speak about where the believer is and is not the most effective.
A. The Problem with Ineffectiveness (vs. 15a)
A. The Problem with Ineffectiveness (vs. 15a)
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
The point is unmistakable.
The point of the household light is for illumination for all those that are around.
Jesus is saying that no one is foolish enough to light a candle for the purpose of illuminating the surroundings and then immediately place it under a bushel.
This basket is a very small basket that was used for measuring grain.
The word “basket” is “μόδιος” and it speaks about a basket that will hold about 7 and a half bottles of water.
A light that is hidden under the basket of worldliness is totally ineffective.
The light that is hidden under the basket of compromise is totally ineffective.
This would totally defeat the purpose of lighting the lamp.
So many people that claim to live in the kingdom and claim to have the light of the Gospel living in them, but either through fear and some other vice, try to keep the light from being seen.
As Jesus said, the purpose of the believer is to be light; that is our calling, that is our purpose.
And it is totally ineffective for that believer to take that light and hide it so that no one else can see the light.
In fact, I would say that it is not only ineffective to hide that light but I would say that it is impossible to be a citizen of the kingdom and continually hide that light.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
But in reality, if you really have the light of the Gospel living inside of you, you are like that city, and you cannot hide it.
Jesus is speaking in an economy of opposites; a person who has light is like a city on a hill that is not hidden.
Jesus says, “to think that a true believer who is living right with the Lord will hide their light, is as ineffective and silly as lighting a candle and putting it under a small basket.
When Christians live so worldly that they place their light under the basket of worldliness, that is a problem.
And when that is a persistent and consistent trend, it may be that they are not true kingdom citizens.
There is a big problem of ineffectiveness.
B. The Position of Importance (vs. 15b)
B. The Position of Importance (vs. 15b)
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Listen, giving light is not an option, so to speak, which the disciple may or may not choose.
It is part of being a disciple.
The position of the candle is that it is put high in the air so that it gives off the maximum amount of light.
And the point is that you place the lamp in the lampstand so that it lights everyone that comes into the house.
And this is even more understandable when it is remembered that the houses of the poor, the very people whom Jesus was addressing, had only one room.
The believer is to be like the candelabra in the temple, let your light shine that is gives light to everyone that is around.
Just as Jesus is the light of the world, His followers should reflect that light.
The lamp is not hidden, but it is placed in an optimal position in a room so it can sheds its light.
And where is the most prominent place for the light torch to be?
The lampstand, the most prominent place in the house so that everyone could see the light.
The kingdom citizen, whose will has been surrendered to the Lord, will let their light not be ineffective by trying to hide it.
But will raise it to a place of prominence so that that all people can see their light.
Because they understand that that is their purpose for existing in the kingdom.
III. The Product of the Believer (vs. 16)
III. The Product of the Believer (vs. 16)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
What is the product that the believer who light is clearly seen, like that city on the hill or the 98 foot candelabra in the Temple?
A. Seeing (vs. 16a)
A. Seeing (vs. 16a)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Our light must shine before men, so that may see our good works.
As I said, there is nothing more ineffective than a believer who is not reflecting the radiant light of Christ because they are covering it with the basket of worldliness.
However, the most effective believer is the one that has their light high so that others can see their good works or their light.
They see the beauty of what God is doing in us.
To see good works by us is to see Christ in us.
That is the point of letting out light so shine.
It is not something that we make up or create, but something that we allow the Lord to do through us.
It is God’s light; our choice is whether to hide it or let it shine.
B. Shining (vs. 16b)
B. Shining (vs. 16b)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The whole purpose of all of this is so that we can bring the maximum glory to God.
Everything that we should do is to cause other to give praise to the God who is the source of all good.
And the way that we live should lead those around us to glorify the heavenly Father.
Matthew, vols. 1-4 (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary) The Purpose: To Glorify God
When what we do causes people to be attracted to us rather than to God, to see our human character rather than His divine character, we can be sure that what they see is not His light.
That is what all of this boils down to; the glory of the Father in the life of the believer.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Matthew, vols. 1-4 (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary) The Purpose: To Glorify God
It was also said of the French pietist Francois Fenelon that his communion with God was such that his face shined with divine radiance. A religious skeptic who was compelled to spend the night in an inn with Fenelon, hurried away the next morning, saying, “If I spend another night with that man I’ll be a Christian in spite of myself.”
The citizen of the kingdom is the light of world, that reflect THE light of the world.
He is not ashamed and attempts to hide the light, but displays the light in the maximum way.
In order that people will see their good works and, and here is the point of all of life, and glorify God.
The Father wants to radiate His light, his glory, in such a way that it will attract others to Him.