Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount (9)
Pray Psalm 97.10-12.
You who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
Sing Psalm 97.10-12.
(Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King!)
All you who love the LORD, despise sin’s wicked ways!
Praise Him Who guides us by His Word through all our days.
Refrain v. 9
Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!
Read Matthew 5.1-15; meditate on verses 14, 15.
What should that light look like through you?
Prepare.
1. How does Jesus describe His followers in these verses?
2. What does He expect of us?
Meditate.
Light is an image frequently associated with Jesus, and with good reason. He is the light of the world (Jn. 8.12). His coming to earth brings light to expose sin and illuminate the darkness (Jn. 3.19-21; 1 Jn. 2.8). By the light of Jesus, people come to the truth of God and are saved. Jesus is the Morning Star, Who dawns to bring the new day of salvation to the world (2 Pet. 1.19). We are familiar with all these applications of light to Jesus, and we know they are most appropriate. But Jesus says that we are the light of the world! How can this be?
Because the righteousness, for which Kingdom citizens hunger and thirst, has the effect of making them shine like the noonday sun: “He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday” (Ps. 37.6). Righteousness is God’s doing, and when He does it, we shine like light, and like the sun when it casts no shadows. But we must commit our way to the Lord, and trust in Him, for only then will He bring forth in us the righteousness for which we hunger and thirst (Ps. 37.5; Prov. 4.18).
When we live according to the holy and righteous and good Law of God (Rom. 7.12), the Light of Jesus in us shines into the darkness of the world, illuminating the way of salvation, and showing the character of the Kingdom of God. But we must let our lights shine, and not try to conceal the fact that we live by truths and walk in paths other than those pursued by our secular age (Matt. 5.15; cf. Ps. 1).
We are the light of the world as those in whom the light of Jesus has come to dwell, and through whom the light of Christ shines on the world. We must hold our lamps high before the dark world, that any who may be seeking a way out of the darkness can come to His light shining in us, so that we may tell them about Jesus.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Light cannot be hidden, unless it is totally covered. And then that defeats the whole purpose of light.
Jesus Christ, and His Word, are the lights that light our light.
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119.105).
Just as God’s Word is a guide, not only for my person (feet), but also for my way (path).
All of life is illuminated by His Word in a most helpful manner.
God’s Word also shines a search light onto our sin. Also helpful, but not nearly as welcome.
We would do well to consider that light, as lovely as it is, when not well placed or timed, can be seen as a detriment rather than a blessing—sort of like light pollution to those who struggle to see the night sky.
Light indeed illuminates—much to people’s chagrin—when employed without love (1 Cor. 13.1-3).
Additionally, our light will not be something of joy to others—when through righteousness, we bring to light
unwholesome behaviors or beliefs. Not unlike the aroma we, as Christians are known for— “we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life” (2 Cor. 2.15, 16).
Our light, when put on a “lampstand” will brighten, or should, all who are in the house (Matt. 5.15).
We have been brought out of darkness to broadcast the glory of God.
If we hide our light under a basket, what is the point of being light?
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light
(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (Eph. 5.8-10).
That is the key to finding the glow.
“But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Prov. 4.18).
When we seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matt. 6.33),
our lights will have a better chance of being a glow that brings joy—
more blessed brightness, less particulate pollution.
So, “Do all things without complaining and disputing,
that you may become blameless and harmless,
children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…” (Phil. 2.14-16).
Ambassadors of the true Light of the World (Jn. 8.12).
Reflect.
1. Why is light such a good metaphor for the Christian life?
2. Should you expect everyone to respond positively to the light of Jesus in your life? Explain.
3. What can Christians do to encourage one another to shine their lights faithfully?
For, illumined by his very own self who is the true and eternal light, they too become light within the darkness. For since he himself is the sun of righteousness, he rightly also calls his disciples “light of the world.” Through them, as if through shining rays, he poured the light of his knowledge on the entire world. For by showing the light of truth, the Lord’s disciples made the darkness of error flee from people’s hearts. Chromatius (fl. ca. 400), Tractate on Matthew 19.1-2
Pray 97.1-9.
Pray that the Lord’s Presence will be known through you today, as you let your light shine in all the places and on all the people in your Personal Mission Field.
Sing Psalm 97.1-8.
(Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King!)
Rejoice, the LORD is King! O earth, lift up your voice.
Be glad, you islands, shout and sing: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Refrain v. 9
Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!
His just and righteous throne ’mid clouds and darkness stands;
His fiery wrath consumes His foes in every land.
Refrain
Earth trembles at the sight of Jesus’ holy face;
the mountains melt before His might and praise His grace.
Refrain
The heav’ns above declare His glorious righteousness.
and tribes and peoples everywhere; His Name confess.
Refrain
While Zion gladly sings, let all be brought to shame
who to vain idols worship bring and scorn His Name.
Refrain
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter presses ahead in a series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column is studying the Church as Jesus envisions it. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
