“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
The Bible frequently uses the imagery of light to explain refer to God, holiness, and faith.
In the Bible we see that:
God is light: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)
Jesus is light: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)
The Bible is light: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Light cannot be overcome by darkness: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
The function of light it to illuminate and guide. It drives out darkness which allows people to safely navigate while they journey. Darkness brings confusion, hopelessness, pain, and fear.
God is light, and as followers of Jesus, we are the light of the world. Jesus proclaimed during the Sermon on the Mount that, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
Christians are light bearers. The light of Jesus illuminates the darkness by exposing lies, bringing truth, destroying darkness, and brings hope to the hopeless. Christians, through the Holy Spirit, are light bearers who speak truth and illuminate the path to Jesus by sharing the Gospel. We have a role to play by pushing back the darkness around us. Jesus is the source of life.
We are beacons of light that warn others of the danger of a life of darkness. A city on a hill and a lamp on a stand are positioned to shine for everyone to see. Jesus has precisely positioned you to light up the darkness.
Live It:
- How can you be the light of the world where Jesus has precisely placed you today?
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Chase Snyder
Writer, Pastor
