Light of the World
(NKJV) Matt 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
What are some of the attributes of light? Light exposes, it warms, it enables growth. Light can be direct or indirect, bright or dim, comforting when it diminishes the darkness but glaring when the sun almost blinds us while driving.
As a child, hiding one’s light under a basket became a metaphor for not utilizing one’s God given talent for the church. As an older adult I have to wonder about the wisdom of putting a lit candle under a woven basket.
Rather than being concerned about the light being diminished or even obliterated, I would be much more concerned with starting a fire.
Jesus included the light in one of His “I am” statements. In John 8 Jesus said, (NKJV) 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Remember, these are not evangelical statements. Jesus is speaking directly to believers. If we have the light of Jesus in our hearts, then won’t good works follow? And whenever we take part in good works, won’t those works and the people we help glorify God?
I offer this devotional to encourage all who read it, and in the memory of Val Carr, whose life will be celebrated 2/17 at 10:30 at Asbury UMC. May we each understand that our light cannot be extinguished by death.
So shine on, into the sunset
Shine on, into the night,
shine on, sweet one, for we will never forget
The warmth of your God given light.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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