So Shine

This is a very familiar teaching; Jesus likens what he has given us in contrast to the world. Look at what light does to creation. Think of your own world. What if it suddenly went dark? What happens? You stumble. See what light does. It’s simple and shows us our place in the world and how important we are. Never think you don’t matter in the eyes of God or the people in your world.

“Matthew 5: 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 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. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Creation is in balance. When God put time into existence, he made day and night. There is such a difference in the two. The world is the same at night, but the entrance of light does wonders. The sun is bright; clouds are gray. The same is true of the seasons. Winters are dismal and cold. Look at this winter. About 8 weeks ago it was very cold and snowy. The entire landscape is changed now. The same is for us as a child of God. Jesus calls us the light. To understand Matthew better, we need to read John.

This happened right after Jesus forgave the woman taken in adultery.  Chapter 8 verse 12 says “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.”

We have the light within us. (v.12) The world’s only hope, this woman’s only hope, was to be forgiven. Without Jesus she would have been stoned. He had the power and authority to forgive and dismiss her sins. He told her to go and sin no more; she didn’t have to continue living as she did. She had the light within her.

We can’t conjure up this light. We can’t generate it; rather we have to be regenerated. A light bulb only works when it’s in total vacuum. The only way we can have the light of Jesus is to empty ourselves and become a vacuum for the Lord. A bulb is no good without a receptacle that has two leads of wire connected to electrical current. It won’t shine without it. The only way we can be a light is to be connected to Jesus.

The light is for us. John 11:9-10 “Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.  But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.” Jesus is letting us know how important light is to keep us from stumbling. Before we can help others, we must help ourselves. We need to take advantage of the light. If we fall away it won’t be the Lord’s fault. We will have broken the connection. We’ve made it this far because of yielding to the Lord and his light. What a difference!  We need the light to keep us from stumbling. It is there for us.

The light is around us. John 12:35 “Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.” When Jesus used the word “walk” he referred to our daily living. Before we were saved, we walked in darkness. We were confused and lost, striving for happiness but going around in circles.  That’s the way it is without Jesus. This is no satisfaction. Without the light around us we have no direction and purpose. With Jesus we know who we are and what we have by seeing it; it’s all because of the light around us. We know we’re somebody to the Lord. Thank God for a Savior that shows us how to walk from day to day.

What does this have to do with Matthew?

The light is from us. John 12:36 “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”  How can we not be witnesses of the light?  We have so much light for us; it’s around us. It should naturally be from us. By faith in Jesus we are made the children of light, and that light comes from us.  Stay conscious of He who is within you. What good is that bulb unless it shines out for the benefit of others? There is the blessing of being saved. If you feel like you lack something and don’t feel as strong as you used to feel, keep the light aglow within you. Then let it shine.

Think of lights on a Christmas tree. One would be all right, but many lights play off each other and shine inside and out.  It’s beautiful. There are many potential lights out in the world. We have light in us, for us, and around us. We are the children of light, and while we have light we need to be aware of it. Let is so shine.

I’ll pick up with this in two weeks.  I’ll leave a question with you.

Why did Jesus say to let your light so shine?