The Light of the World

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Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. [1]

 

Meditation:

            Just as our culture has lost the taste of salt that the church should bring to it, so also it has become a very dark place. Christians have taken to the habit of hiding their lights under baskets so that no one will see them. There is a great deal of fear in modern culture of being known as a Christian. Fear that one will be thought to be backward or not culturally “with it” on social issues of the day.

            The light of the world was Jesus. He claimed to be that light in John 8:12 where he says” I am the light of the world.” He knew that his light would shine so brightly that eventually sinful humanity would try to extinguish it on the cross. So as Jesus is the light of the world so should his followers be.

            The light of Jesus was made manifest in his love for the world, so his followers should be made manifest by the light of their love for the world. Others will see by that light the good works we do and will be drawn as a moth to a flame. Others will be repelled by the light and seek dark places to hide. So be it. Christian let your light so shine that the world may see the source of our light in Jesus Christ.

 

Prayer

Help us Jesus to be salt and light in the world. May our very presence improve the world around us. May we lift up our light so that all may see. Amen


[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Mt 5:14–16.

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