Verse: Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Devotion
Most of you know that this is a foundational verse for our church, CityLight. These words by Jesus are meant to encourage us to be out in the world, in our everyday lives, spreading the joy and love of Jesus to everyone. But, if you are like me, there may be times that you just don’t feel like you are a light to others because you are overwhelmed with life or are struggling with your own problems.
And yet, Jesus says to his followers, you and me, “You are the light of the world.” Not “you are the light if you have it all together.” Even in the midst of our own struggles, others can see the light that Jesus is bringing to us to keep us together and to get us through. Others need to see that also.
Jesus knows the struggles that you have and he is there to comfort you and to walk with you. He lit the light in you and does not want you to hide it. Instead he wants the light he gave you to help give light to everyone else around you.
Consider that, in this analogy, once the light is lit, the light just goes forth without trying. It is natural for a lamp to provide light. Its brightness may vary but it gives light continuously to everyone who comes near it. Once we receive Jesus, it will be natural for us to shine forth with his light. Our part is not to hide it.
Lastly, I think it is interesting that he says to let your light shine so that they may see your good deeds. Our love for Jesus should spur us on to do good deeds for others. Others will ask why you are doing these good deeds. That is the open door for us to give the glory to God for what He has given us and our desire to give to others. This is the opportunity for us to talk about the one who gave us light and life, Jesus.
So please be encouraged today that you are the light of the world and that you are part of a group of like-minded people at CityLight that all want to shine our light together for the glory of God.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for declaring that we are the light of the world. Help us to live that out every day by doing the good things that you have for us to do, with our families, our friends, and our acquaintances.
Guest Author: Brad Dunn