2 You are the Light of the World
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus continues speaking to his disciples.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5: 14, 15 [NIV]
It seems strange that Jesus, who calls himself the light of the world (John 8: 12), should give that title to his disciples. But what he is saying is that whatever light we shine ultimately comes from him.
Light, of course is meant to be visible. That's the whole point of it – to guide, to warn, to illuminate. In Jesus' time, houses were completely dark at night and going out after dark was a dangerous undertaking.
So Jesus calls on his disciples to be visible. Just as a town built on a hill is seen by everybody, so Christians should be visible to a watching world. There is no place for the secret believer who keeps his faith to himself.
Shine! Jesus says to us. As disciples, be visible in the world. Shine your light into the dark places of the world, bringing hope and guidance, exposing all that is rotten. And let the way you live your lives, your good deeds, point people to God, so that they glorify him.
If the house is dark at night, there is no sense in blaming the house for its darkness. That is what happens when the sun goes down. The question to ask is: Where is the light? [John Stott]
Lord Jesus, we live in dark times. Help my love for you to be visible to those around me. Guide me in how I live my life, so it brings glory to you. Amen.
David Long
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