I’m preaching today on the light of the world passage from the Sermon on The Mount in Matthew 5:
Matthew 5: 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and
trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
I am amazed at how different images from a scripture I’m living with during the week come to the surface when I’m thinking through my lenses of a Biblical passage. So often we make Jesus a person who is one in a billion, a person like no other, and, I believe, we miss where Jesus’ identity and life point us.
I believe that Jesus in one in a billion person and the purpose of being unique was to aid his followers in doing the same. John 1 tells us that Jesus is the light of the world and the darkness could not put his light out. So, too, then, if Jesus is the light of the world, then we also are to light the world. When the light of the world tells you that you are the light of the world, then it is your job to be the light, the salt, the city that sets on a hill in a way that only you can be.
Marianne Williamson’s words came back to me,
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
So, let your light shine! Be the light of the world Jesus is calling you to be. Along with this quote by Marianne Williamson, I found this song by Keb Mo. Again, let your light shine!
