Text: Matthew 5:14-16
Theme: Let your Light Shine
Introduction: I was amused to see the reflectors on the highways in the early days of night travel. The reflector was first invented in 1917 by Henry Chrétien to provide the army with a communication system the enemy could not intercept. in 1960, it was used for city roads. Nowadays one can find reflectors of all possible shapes and colors, as design and fashion industries have turned their faces towards this diminutive gadget. I saw a rider with a reflective jacket and a helmet. It is very safe to drive for night travel.
In the gospel of Mathew, Jesus spoke three things: 1. Character of the disciples (Matthew 5:3-9), 2. The conflict in Christian life (Matthew 5:10-13), 3. He spoke the characters of a disciple through the metaphors of Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16). C. H. Spurgeon: The title ‘You are the Light of the World’ had been given by the Jews to their eminent Rabbis. They spoke of Rabbi Judah, and Rabbi Jochanan, as lamps of the universe, and the lights of the world. But Jesus called his disciples the Light of the World. It must have sounded strangely in the ears of the Scribes and Pharisees to hear that same title, in all soberness, applied to a few peasants and fishermen. Jesus said, it’s no more the Rabbis, not the Scribes, not the Sanhedrim but you are the light of the world. (Precept Austin).
I want to make it very clear to all of us that not only the Bishops, District Superintendents, Pastors, and missionaries but all the humble and simple believers are the lights of the world, the limelight of the Kingdom of God. So, this Sunday morning, I would like to touch the light which is part of our annual theme “Let there be light.” Today’s theme from this passage is ‘Let your light shine.’
Be a reflective Light, reachable light, and reliable light.
1. Be a reflective Light
Jesus taught the beatitudes as the hallmark of the followers of Christ. But how they can relate to the world? Jesus never intended for an isolated and exclusive community but he rather wanted to reach the whole world with his message of love. So, he taught them how to build a relationship with all.
The world loves darkness. The world loved deeds of darkness. The world loves and practices darkness. The deeds of the darkness are self and flesh. But you are having a new identity through Christ. You are placed with a purpose to bring new insights, grace, and leadership to one and all. There is a new meaning to life through you because you have transformed and renewed your mind. You are a reflector.
‘The moon provides light for the earth just as the sun does. Yet, the actual source of light for both the sun and the moon is the sun. The moon only reflects the light of the sun. By the same token, Jesus, the God-man, is the source of all light. His disciples become reflectors in a darkened world, transmitting through their lives the true light of the eternal Son of God.’(W S Criswell in Precept Austin)
You are a Moon to receive light from the Lord. we are on the world to reflect God-colors to the people (The Message - Matthew 5:14). Mathew 5:16, ‘You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.’ (The Voice).
John MacArthur says that Jesus told his disciples that they were salt and light. He narrates, ‘Whereas salt is hidden, light is obvious. Salt works secretly, while light works openly. Salt works from within, and light from without. Salt is more the indirect influence of the gospel, while the light is more its direct communication. The figurative use of light has two aspects, the intellectual and the moral. Intellectually it represents truth, whereas morally it represents holiness.’ I would like to add that salt is within but the light is for all. Light refers to the teachings, preaching, and practices of the followers of Christ.
A phosphor is a substance that radiates visible light after being energized. All glow-in-the-dark products contain phosphors. Phosphors have three characteristics: The type of energy to be energized, the color of the visible light that they produce, and the length of time that they glow after being energized. Earlier radium watches are expensive because they reflect in the night. We are phosphors of Christ. Christ is the Light and we are reflectors. We glow according to the level of energy we received through prayers and meditations.
NIV comments: ‘The literal contrast between physical light and darkness provokes a profound metaphorical contrast between metaphysical good and evil, God and evil forces, and believers and unbelievers.’ Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5), He enlightens all who come to him and believe him (1:4–14), they will be no longer in darkness (12:46). Jesus talked about the symbols of light. one is City on the mount and the other one is light kept on the Lampstand. One is witnessing globally the other witnesses locally. Each one is called for different purposes with different capacities and energy.
2. Be a reachable Light
Global and Local Lights. They are like the city on the mounts and lamps on the stands. it is impossible to hide your true color. Read this translation: “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.’ (The Message – Matthew 5:14-16).
a. City on the Mount
The primitive men lived in the mountains. Then with the purpose of defense and safety, the cities were built on the mountain ranges. They used to enjoy their lives. If anyone was under a threat or danger of life, they would run to those cities seeking refuge. Some believe that Jesus refers to Jerusalem, which sits on Mount Zion, Israel is supposed to be the holy city that was considered light to the world (Isaiah 2:2-5, 42:6, 49:6).
b. Light on the stand
There are no invisible believers, there are no lonely Christians. They are unbelievers and deceivers. They are wolfing on the lamb’s skin. ‘All earnest Christian conviction will demand expression, and all deep experience of the purifying power of Christ upon character will show itself in conduct’ (Alexander Maclaren). D L Moody said, ‘Poor world! What a faint light it receives from most Christians! The lighthouse, if its light is not burning, is a peril instead of a safeguard. Men do not stumble when the lamp shines brightly.’
Dr. E. Stanley Jones, the famous Methodist missionary and founder of Sattal Ashram was asked to name the number one problem of the church. He replied that the number one problem was the irrelevance of the Church. He further said that 3/4ths of the opposition to the church stems from disappointment. We promise to make men different, but the promise goes largely unfulfilled.
3. Be a reliable light
The word world comes from kosmos in a spiritual sense of the man-centered, Satan-directed system. (1 John 5:19). Kosmos often is used in the NT to describe the self-centered, godless value system and mores of fallen mankind. The goal of the "world" is humanistic, the exaltation of man, self-glory, self-fulfillment, self-indulgence, self-satisfaction, and every other form of self-serving (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
The world is looking for reliable personalities. Trustworthy Good Deeds are the light. Be a lamp on the mountain top and be a light lit on the Lampstand. Jesus told his followers to be the light of the world. They are living testimonies to those in the world who do not yet have that light. Their good works are produced by the light and life that come from God. It is not of their own making, but “Father in heaven”. So, the spectators will understand the transformation of the followers of Christ and they will glorify God in Heaven, and Father in Heaven.
NIV Comments: The followers of Christ are possessed with kingdom life, which produces good deeds from a changed life. Bearing the light of the gospel in both words and deeds, message and life will bring people to know Christ as a loving person. The metaphors of salt and light are the first explicit indication that the presence of the kingdom produces changed lives.
Paul explicitly talks about the characteristics of the Light. He says that you were DARKNESS and now you are LIGHT. Note the point that he does not say that you were in the darkness and now you are in the light but he says they were darkness and now turned into Light. There were times of fruitless deeds of darkness such as sexual immorality, sensuality, etc., So, exhibit the fruit of the Light which consists in all goodness and righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:8-14).
The citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are continually lights ("mobile lighthouses" if you will) in this spiritually dark world. Jesus is saying that those who possess "spiritual light" are to be light transmitters! As believers, we are to let our actions speak louder than our words. Our "Gospel" life should open doors of opportunity for our lips to speak the Gospel. We must "speak" the Gospel with our lives so that it will validate the Gospel we speak with our lips! (Precept Austin).
C.H. Spurgeon: Genuine faith in Christ turns a man from darkness to marvelous light and transforms him into the light. Then, his aims, objects, his desires, his speech, his actions, become full of divine light, which illuminates all the chambers of his soul, and then pours forth from the windows so as to be seen by men. The believer is a lighthouse to others, a cheering lamp, and a guiding star. His brightness depended on and deepens in Christ. The world looks into the light before the knowledge. God made his disciples as a light for three reasons. Firstly, light givers ward off evils. Secondly, it bestows upon them many benefits. Thirdly, it has an encouraging aspect toward the light receivers. (Spurgeon quoted by Precept Austin). God has left each of us here, to shine for Him, to shine His Gospel for His Kingdom and for His glory.
As a believer, you are a supernatural "light". Let your light shine forth. Stop complaining about how others are not letting their light shine! Focus on your light. You are unique and reborn by the Spirit to express and glorify God through your deeds.
Conclusion:
Am I reflecting Christ through my words and deeds? Am I reachable for the needs of people? Am I reliable for God and people?
