“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.”
I was listening to a teaching tape on the way to the office today and the brother shared something relative to our passages that blew me away. Jesus tells His disciples that they are the light of the world. Fishermen – lights of the world? A born-again tax collector – a light of the world? Wait just one minute, Messiah! Don’t You need some people with a little more pizzazz, so to speak? You know, some prominent politicians, wealthy aristocrats, and so forth.
Well, blessed be His name, Jesus does reach down and save people in all walks of life, educated and non-educated, rich and poor, white and black, Jew and Gentile, male and female, old and young. The gospel IS the great equalizer among men. Notice, however, how Jesus picked the most unlikely candidates to spread the gospel.
Most of us do not fit “the mold” of successful living by today’s standards, but nonetheless, the King of the universe declares that we – you and I – are the light of the world. Notice that WE are to let our light “shine before men” ; but read on – “that they may … glorify your Father in heaven.”
In Matthew 6:1,2,5, and 16, Jesus tells us the wrong way to shine our lights (as a spotlight). It is HIS life that is “the light of men.” As we allow God to work in us and through us, He is glorified. You, reader, are a light to the world where God has sovereignly placed you – in your home, your neighborhood, your job, etc.
Think about that for a moment. With so much darkness around us, we must put on this armor of light. Your light is important, although you may think that it is insignificant. Mark it down, there are no insignificant lights in God’s church. We shine individually and, together in Christ, we shine brighter.
To shine for Jesus is everyone’s calling in life. His Word gives us light. God Himself gives us light. As we walk in this light and fellowship with Him, the world will notice that we have “been with Jesus.”
Go forth today with full assurance of your salvation. Be bold. Be bright with the love of Jesus. Be His hands today; speak His words today. Your light makes a difference, so shine for Jesus!
