Let Your Light So Shineby Jeff Robb

Reflection

Jesus sat on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee and taught His disciples. They were ordinary people: fishermen, a tax collector, men with no position or power. And He said to them, Ye are the light of the world.

Not, you should try to become the light. You are. Elsewhere Jesus says, I am the light of the world. His light now shines through those who follow Him. The moon has no light of its own, but it lights up the night by reflecting the sun. That's what we're called to do.

A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Galilee had towns built on hilltops, and at night their lamps could be seen for miles. A follower of Jesus isn't meant to be invisible.

Then Jesus gives a picture from every home of the time. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick. A bushel was a basket for measuring grain. Nobody lights a lamp and then covers it. That would make no sense. The lamp is lit so that it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

So why do we sometimes hide our light? Fear of what people will think. Wanting to fit in. Not wanting to seem better than anyone. Jesus says, don't cover it.

Then verse sixteen tells us what the light is and what it's for. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The light is seen in good works. Kindness. Honesty. Patience. Helping someone who can't pay you back. Those things are noticed, often more than our words.

But look at where the attention is supposed to go. Not to us. That they may glorify your Father which is in heaven. A lamp doesn't draw attention to itself. It helps people see. Our good works should point people beyond us, to God.

You don't need a stage. Your kitchen, your workplace, your street are all places where a little light goes a long way. Take the basket off.

Cross-references

John 8:12; Philippians 2:14-15; Ephesians 5:8-9