Reflections

Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

     “When I think about His goodness and what He’s done for me. When I think about His goodness and how He set me free. It makes me want to shout.”

     I couldn’t help but think of the words to that chorus as I read the what Jesus had to say about us. “You are the light of the world!”

     Born in sin, shaped in iniquity, surrounded by darkness with nothing to offer anyone and lost in the blackness of my own despair, how could anyone see beauty or worth in me. I couldn’t even save myself, how could I be the light of the world? How could I help anyone find the way? Surely the Master must have gotten this one wrong.

      Let me take you to the blackness of our solar system to illustrate what Jesus was saying to those that believe on Him. Genesis records that there was a time when the stars did not shine and “darkness was upon the face of the deep”. I believe that refers to much more than just it being dark over the ocean. Deep in the reaches of space there was no understanding, there was no sun shining upon the planets and the cold darkness of space stifled life. The darkness meant death! There was no active presence of God being manifest. Then God spoke. What did He say?

     “Let there be light!”

     Don’t let the glory of that moment escape you. In the face of death and vast emptiness God saw what was needed more than anything else and sent light. The Sun began to shine and there was hope. Hope for tomorrow. Hope for a new start. Hope for abundance. In the glory of the light that was shining the darkness was cast off and boundless possibilities were now ready to explode upon the scene. There is no life without light.

      There is no revelation without light. As we peer into the darkness of space, we would see nothing if it were not for the light. Staring up into the darkness that surrounds earth we would never see the moon if it were not for the Sun. The moon has no source of light in itself. Its beauty and potential lay dormant and hidden outside of the light that shines upon it. What we see when we look up at the moon is light reflected from the Sun. What our eyes are registering and turning into an image that our minds can fathom is light. The shapes and colors that create the beauty of the celestial beings are all viewed because of the light. Turn off the Sun and everything else vanishes in the still darkness of night. But in the evening when the Sun is hidden by the earth there is a light. It shines in the darkness and allows us to see even if we only see in part. The moon, which has no light of its own, is shining. The Sun is reflecting off the moon and creates a light that shines in the darkness.

       Without Jesus there is no light! When He came into this world the light of God’s glory burst forth in glorious praise. He was the light that destroyed death, hell, and the grave. He was the light that endured the cross. He was the light that raised the dead and healed the sick. Jesus, ascended into Heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, is still the light!

      Consider the words of Jesus in John 5:19,

     “Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.”

     Jesus is teaching us about Light! He came to show us the Father. His earthly life was a reflection of the love, truth, and holiness of the Father. When Jesus walked into a room His purpose was to make the Father known. He was about the Father business and when we saw Jesus we saw the Father. That’s how we become light. Not from any value or power of our own but because Jesus lives in us. His light shines through the darkness of this world and finds a reflector, one that believes on Him and is willing to make Him known. When we live our lives in the light of Christ’s immeasurable glory we are the light!