Our Hope: Being The Light

“You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”  Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)

Jesus called His followers “the light of the world”.  By so doing, He reinforced the thread He Himself had taught them during their time together, which was the very thread that ran through Him. It was that part of Jesus that allowed others to recognize who He was, what He was, how He was.

Jesus is pure light, as such, His light will always be seen, not hidden.  He wanted His followers, His disciples, and all who knew Him, to be the same.  Therefore, we are the light of the world in His eyes.

“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.”  Matthew 5:15

God’s purpose for His people includes reaching the world for Christ.  All who are children of the Most High have that in their hearts–to touch others for Jesus.  Our mission is to bring every soul out of darkness and into the Light.  We want them to be in Heaven with us.  We set out to win them for Jesus, because He did not wish for any to perish, not even one (2 Peter 3:9).  Never do we want anyone to stay in darkness.  Darkness can only be overcome by the Light that is allowed to burn brightly.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

Jesus did not mean for us to do “good works” that we should be seen and bring glory to ourselves.  He teaches us, rather,  the value of displaying the inherent behavior of a true believer.  When we go about our daily business, we should always be serving someone.  To be like Jesus, we must be selfless, and take time and opportunity to do good works simply because they are the right thing to do, not to be seen by others.  We don’t do good for that reason but to be of help to others, and as a result, we give honor to our Lord.  Any glory that comes from our good works is His, and His alone.  In this way, we are being light and love, in His name.

Jesus is our Hope.  And because He is the Light of the world, we who love Him will gladly pick up that same light and carry it with us wherever we may go.  Because our light cannot be hidden, neither will our Lord be hidden.  As we shine before men, may their eyes, hearts, and minds be opened to see the one true Light, Jesus, the Christ.  He is the Light, the Truth, and the Way, which is evidence that He is Our Only Hope.

How has the Light of Jesus manifested itself in your life?  Have you been able to shine for Him, and if so, how did you do so, and what was the end result?

Blessings!