BY: Juliet Constantine

“You are the light of the world. A town built 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.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Light is very essential in our daily lives. Have you ever had your electricity turned off in the night? Voluntarily or involuntarily, it is no fun groping in the dark with limited brightness from candles or various lamps. It’s as if life, as we know it, slowed gradually to a halt, and seems to stay this way until the lights are on again. Yes, people love daylight. We look forward to the glorious rising of the sun to dispel the darkness of the night and provide warmth and energy for a productive day. Light keeps the wheel of commerce spinning.

As Jesus fed the famished multitude the words of life, certain items on the menu were largely for His disciples. In one such discourse, He informed them that they were light, the light of the world. With this elevated status as light bearers, much was required of them. They were to shine their light into a darkened world in order to illuminate it so that Jesus Christ could be seen.

Being reflectors of Christ wasn’t unusual to mankind. Throughout all generations, God has had people who were light bearers of the truth. There was Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Daniel and his friends, Mordecai and many others who stood tall for Christ. Like others before them, the disciples were chosen to be the light on the pathway of life as we journeyed to Heaven.

The position of light bearers was literally taken from the Scribes and Pharisees (whose light was covered under a bowl) and given to His disciples. They were to operate differently from the religious leaders of their day. They were to let their light shine, not just for the Jewish nation, but for all to see. They were called to radiate the light of Jesus Christ to a darkened world.

As Christians, we too have a responsibility to shine. In this age, when gross darkness covers the Earth, we are to arise and shine our light, lifting up Jesus Christ for all to see. We are to reflect the Source of our light in our words and deeds so that others will praise God. Just as the sun gives light to the circulating Earth, similarly, we are to let our light shine wherever darkness exists. A single candle gives light: but, when candles are bundled together, the light radiating is much stronger and its glow more penetrating.

“Trials patiently borne, blessings gratefully received, temptations manfully resisted, meekness, kindness, mercy, and love habitually revealed, are the lights that shine forth in the character in contrast with the darkness of the selfish heart, into which the light of life has never shone.” (EGW TFB pg44)

As candles in the dark, let us illuminate the darkness by shining our light for all to see. There is a candle in every soul.

Dear Father, we praise You for making us partakers of Your grace. Please help us to shine brightly so others see Jesus, in whose name we pray, amen.

Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)