THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.

The subject text is taken from the lessons of Jesus that is usually referred to as the "Sermon on the Mount". His audience is referred to, in the first verse of this chapter, as multitudes of disciples that came to Him as He taught near the city of Capernaum located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Although probably not a very large mountain, Jesus, due to the largeness of the crowd, went up on a nearby hillside in order to present his message so all that attended could see and hear Him.

Speaking to the disciples in attendance, Jesus called them the light of the world. At various places in the bible, Jesus, His apostles, gospel preachers and teachers, and all Christians are referred to as lights to the world. In Jesus' own words He said, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. As the sun is the light to the physical world, Jesus is the light of the spiritual world. The moon gives off light, but it is reflective light from the sun. All Christian disciples shine similar to the way the moon dispenses light. They give off light to the spiritual world, but it is reflective of the true light that comes from Jesus, the Savior of mankind. Christians shine because Jesus Christ is in them, guiding their conduct of life, and directing their good works.

Just like a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, neither can the good works of a Christian be hid. Many cities in Israel were built on the hillsides or on the very tops of hills. The lights from the cities and towns built on these elevated sites, would serve as beacons in the night to lead travelers safely into their borders. The light of the gospel message from Christ is diffused through His disciples' teaching and conduct, and is constantly radiated to non-Christians throughout the world.

The statement, that men do not light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candle stick, tells us that a light is not to be hid. A hidden candle does not serve the purpose for which it is intended. It is designed to give light to the night - allowing one to navigate through darkness, inside or outside the home, without stumbling or running into unseen objects. Likewise, the Christian light is designed to benefit those walking in spiritual darkness, showing the way of salvation to a world that would otherwise be lost.

Much like the lights of a city set on a hill serves to safely direct travelers, and like a candle elevated on a candlestick enables one to see and avoid obstacles in their path, so the Christian light must be seen to be spiritually useful. Therefore, as Christians, to hide the knowledge of salvation, which we have learned, and to refrain from doing good works for others, is to betray the trust given to us through Jesus Christ, and cause our lives fade and become wasteful. Good deeds, brought about by living an obedient life for Jesus, will be seen by the world and will serve as "living sermons of light" to bring others to accept God as their Creator and His Son, Jesus Christ, as their Savior. Regardless of how rich, poor, or educated a Christian is, good deeds, large or small, serve to draw others to Him, and show them that salvation, through Jesus Christ, is also available to them. Even small lights are welcome to travelers in the total darkness of night.

Why are your good works not to be hidden? They are to be seen by othersfor their goodness, that they may recognize what is missing in their lives, be converted to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, and take up His cross and begin good works of their own. This is the Christian process of bringing salvation to the world. It is pleasing to God; it glorifies our Father, which is in heaven. Good works are not to be done for selfish reasons or to bring attention and earthly praise to oneself. Rather, they are to be done for the benefit of others and thus to bring glory and honor to God.

As a Christian, are you radiating God's message to others, guiding them from the darkness of sin into the light of forgiveness and salvation? Are you glorifying God with good works? You must always remember what Jesus said about His followers - as Christians, you are the light of the world?