"Salt and Light" (pt. 3 of 3)

(Part 3)

“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

You are the light of the world.  This passage is especially meaningful when you take Jesus’ words in John 9:5 into consideration:

“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Jesus declared that while He was in the world, He would be the light of the world. After He ascended into heaven, that responsibility would fall to you and I. As Christians, we are called to be light bearers, shining the light of Christ in a dark world.

Whereas salt was significant in the preservation process, light is all about proclamation.  One of the amazing qualities of light is its ability to travel. Light can travel great distances at amazing speeds carrying with it tremendous energy. These traits when focused properly make light an amazing communication tool.

In fact, light has many valuable qualities.

Light promotes visibility, illuminates darkness, comforts us, facilitates healing, and promotes life.

The nature of light, therefore, is not to be contained or constrained, but rather released and given out:

“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 5:15

As believers we are called to be light. We are called to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ, illuminate darkness, comfort others, facilitate healing, and promote life. Jesus said to His disciples:

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

                                                                                                            Matthew 5:16

Just as light, hidden under a bowl, is ineffective; so are believers who conceal the light of Christ in their lives. We have a responsibility to shine, not so that we can be seen, but instead to draw others to Christ and bring praise to God’s Holy name.

Pastor Scott Burr                                                                    

http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/