Light

Light!

Matthew 5:14 AMP

[14] “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

This chapter is the first recorded sermon of Jesus, after He had been revealed to the world through the ministry of John the Baptist, as well as the public declaration from heaven that He is God's Son. He had also been tempted by the devil, and had overcome, and He had chosen the twelve disciples who would go on to be with Him during His earthly ministry. Talk about a very busy time for Jesus as He sought to impact the world im which He had been placed. It is hard to argue for anything different for anyone who wants to walk with Jesus. If the Son of God had to go through these processes, how much more would we who seek to walk in His steps? 

The One who God backs up will always command an audience. At the time of this first sermon, there was a crowd following Him everywhere. However, at this time, the message was for His disciples, not the crowd. The demands He was laying down were not for the uncommitted majority, but the distinct few that would choose to follow Him. This is testament to the fact that though the commands and instructions of Jesus are for everyone He has made, they do not place a demand for obedience on everyone at the same time. This is why the passage from where the verse above is taken was careful to note that Jesus took His disciples to the top of the mountain, and taught them. 

Am I one of the distinct few, or part of the uncommitted majority? If I know who I am, and I am clear about my allegiance, then the verse above speaks directly to me. Jesus spoke directly to the disciples, referring to them as His Light to the world. This is clear ownership: I do not represent myself at any level. I do not speak of myself at any level. I am simply the representative of the One who calls me His own, and also sends me out to impact the world in which I have been placed. A little bit of Light is enough to deal with the deepest darkness. Even the light from a phone will make a difference. That is the power and impact of light. 

As light, I cannot be ignored. I cannot be put away in a box, and only opened when the need arises. At all times, I am relevant; at all times, I am in the public eye. Whenever I act or speak, I am putting out indications of who I am, whose I am, and what my allegiances are. The verse above likens me to a city that is set on a hill and cannot be hidden. That city is a beacon that draws men to it. It is a place of refuge for those coming in from darkness and need help. It is a place of comfort for all who have been oppressed and seeking deliverance and safety. Does the above describe me at the moment? Am I truly representing Christ? God's time of favour is here.