Day 23 - “You are the light of the world,” so “let your light shine.” - More of Jesus Devotional

“You are the light of the world,” so “let

your light shine.”

Tim Munyan 

Matthew 5:14-16

Here in this portion of the “Sermon on the mount” and elsewhere in the New Testament , the followers of Jesus are called to be lights to the world. Jesus also spoke of Himself as the light of the world (John 9:5). What relationship do the two of these have? Simply put, Jesus is the source of light and we as followers are to be the reflection of that light (His glory) here on earth. We are commanded to continue to shine His light until He returns. Our call as Christians is to be the reflection of Jesus wherever we are - in word, in deed, in love and in power. We are to shine for Him, and just as the moon reflects the glory of the sun, we are to shine His glory and not allow that light to be hidden.

Recently, there have been a number of Lunar eclipses that have made the headlines. Facebook posts have been filled with prophetic meanings and signs about the end times. But what if we take a more practical look at this phenomenon and also see a spiritual meaning we can apply to ourselves.

As we know, an eclipse happens when the earth comes between the moon and the sun, therefore the moon is unable to reflect the suns light. The very thing that needs the light is the same thing that blocks it. So the moon can either reflect light or darkness completely or partially depending on how much of the earth is in the way.

The illustration I want to make is this. What happens to the light we are to reflect when we let too much of the world into our lives? Maybe it is lust or greed, or the desire for earthly treasures, selfishness, or even busyness. All these and more can begin to slip between us and our reflection of the Lord and block the light we are to shine to the world around us. It just takes a little sin, a little disobedience to begin to cover our reflection. If we are to let our light shine, then we must remove those things in our lives that hinder us from being a light to the world. How? Through repentance, and by choosing to walk in obedience to God’s word, and also through worship and saying “no” to earthly temptations.

As we begin to push the things of earth aside, more of the light of His glory will shine from us and as the old hymn says:

“and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace.” 

(Turn your eyes upon Jesus, by Helen Howard Lemmel)

So let your light shine!

Questions:

1. How can you let your light shine before other people today?

2. What is the source of the light we are supposed to shine? Are you plugged into that source?

3. What are some of the things in your life that have blocked the light of the Lord from shining brightly through you? How can you remove them?