"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."
- Jesus, Matthew 5:14-16
I'm going to be teaching on this passage next week and as I've studied many things have struck me about these words of Jesus. Today what has stirred me the most is not the words, but the audience they are spoken to. The "you" here isn't the religious elite (though He gets to them shortly), it isn't the social elite; it's a broken people in captivity to an evil empire, the oppressed, the marginalized, those who think they've been forgotten and bear no "light". Here, in the love-thick words of this fiery young rabbi they learn the truth...God sees them and they matter! I wonder what Jesus saw in the faces staring at him as he tells them "It's you...YOU are the light of the world! Don't give up, keep fighting for what is good...it matters!" In a world of darkness where celebrity is valued over authenticity, even in Christian circles, Jesus' words still ring with hope. Each of us play a role; each of us are designed for impact; there are not "spare parts". The impact of this truth not only on how I view myself, but how I view everyone else has been both refreshing and convicting. What a message...what a hope...
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