April 4 - Matthew 5:14-16

April 4 - Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Light and God seem to go together throughout scripture.  The metaphor is used over and over to describe Him. Isaiah 9:2 tells us that “the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light” and we know now that he was prophesying the arrival of Jesus Christ.  Isaiah also reminded Israel in Isaiah 42:6 that their mission was to be a light to the Gentiles.

Jesus tells his disciples the same thing in this passage.  They (we) are to be representatives of the kingdom of God. We are to tell the world that salvation has come.  If the world is not to be left in darkness, the light that we carry becomes its hope.

How does that make you feel?  We have been given such a glorious task. It may seem overwhelming at times, but the opportunity to offer hope and joy to others is something we should be thrilled to take.

You are the light of the world. Do not hide your light under a basket.