LIGHT
Jenna Worsham
Today's Scripture: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14, ESV
Theme: Jesus was the “Light,” contrasting with society and culture. When we are His, we too reflect that “light.”
LIGHT AT NIGHT
Maybe you, like me, have a fascination with the night sky. On evenings with clear skies, we pull out our telescope and train it on the moon, a planet and its moons, or a nebula. The brightness of the heavenly bodies contrasts with the darkness of the night. If there was no light at night, the darkness would be complete. We couldn’t see. The light is beautiful, mysterious, and very practical, helpful for seeing and getting around.
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Today’s Scripture is an excerpt from Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. Speaking to those listening, and by extrapolation, those of us who seek Him today, He said “You are the light of the world.” And yet, He wasn’t giving us that role of “light” in isolation. Jesus also referred to Himself as the Light of the world. “Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12, ESV). Jesus’ behavior contrasted with society norms. We can see that He treated women, the poor, the oppressed, and the outcast differently. While He respected the religious officials, He was not afraid to correct or oppose them. Sometimes He was merciful to sinners, like in the passage right before He says “I am the light of the world” when He did not condemn the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). When we act with Christlike mercy, compassion, or righteousness, we too reflect that “light.”
Make It Personal: How does this section of the Sermon on the Mount preach directly to you? How do you perceive yourself? Are you a city on a hill, providing light to anyone within view of the hill, or do you feel like one in darkness, desperate for the light? Pray with me.
Pray: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus as the Light of the world and for allowing us to join Him in being the light by reflecting Your great glory and holiness. Thank you for the sun, moon, and stars that provide light for our eyes and warmth for our skin. Help us to honor You by reflecting Your glory and becoming “the light of the world, a city on a hill.” In Jesus Name, amen.
Read: John 8:1-12; John 11:9, Psalm 19:1-2
Weekly Memory Verse: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17, ESV