You Are The Light Of The World

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (1)

As the moon reflects the light of the Sun, so the Christian reflects the light of Christ, God's Son. As we receive the light and warmth of the luminous celestial body around which the earth and other planets revolve, so we also receive the light, warmth, knowledge and understanding of the Son of Righteousness (doing what is right) directly from His Word and His Spirit around which His children revolve. [All who receive Him, to those who have yielded their allegiance to Him, He gives the right to become His children, to be a member of His family, they are born not of flesh and blood, they are the offspring of God Himself (because they believe and trust in Him) (2)]

God's children reflect the values and the Spirit that we receive from God and in so doing, lighten the path of others that they may come to know Him and also become His children, not born of the flesh, but of the Spirit. Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." (3) What a promise. The person who receives a messenger of Christ, receives Christ and the Father. And that is wherein we become "the light of the world". We reflect the love, graces and values of the One who sent us so that His works in us will bring the glory of our Father in heaven to His earthbound children who have not known Him. And those who know Him and have yielded their allegiance to Him are not only His children, they have eternal life. "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (4)

Knowing God and Jesus Christ and accepting the "light" that God shares with us brings us into the light of day and the light of life. "Arise, shine, for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you. And His glory will be seen upon you… Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy… For the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended." (5)

1. Matthew 5:14-16.
2. John 1:12, NEB paraphrased.
3. John 13:20.
4. John 17:3.
5. Isaiah 60:1, 2, 5, 20.