June 19

The Light of the World

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."Matthew 5:14

Jesus made this statement to his disciples. He was in essence passing the torch to them. He declared himself to be the light of the world earlier and now he was telling his disciples that they were lights also: lights that could not be hidden. Their lives would be visible to all men and so they must shine! We are to be the means by which God diffuses His light, the light of life, throughout the world. Like a city on a hill, the Christian life is an elevated life: it lifts us up above the rest of the world. While it may seem to withdraw from us this earth and carry us nearer to heaven, it places us in view of all to see. There is no hiding the Christian from the rest of the world, just as the city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor would we want to hide ourselves away. We have been given the most precious gift, a life-giving gift, a gift that we can share with this whole world. Let us shine brightly for the LORD, that others might see the light and be drawn to it.

Father, thank you for giving us the Light of Life in Jesus. We praise you for his light that shone so brightly. Thank you for taking us from the darkness into the light and then placing us on high. May we be faithful in letting others see the light of Jesus in us. And dear Savior, thank you for passing the torch to us, thank you for your faith in us. Give us the determination to shine more brightly to those around us. May they see your light and desire it for themselves. Help us to be used of you in this way. Amen