The Parables of Jesus

The Parable of the Lamp

Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

 

Matthew 5:14-16  

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

                  Jesus gives us a very simple illustration here. It would be quite impossible to hide a town that is built on top of a hill. He doesn’t say how high the hill is, but by definition a hill is “a well-defined natural elevation smaller than a mountain”. So the light of this town on a hill will shine out in the surrounding darkness for quite a distance, as in miles. Light pierces darkness. Light a single candle in a pitch-dark room and you’ll see what I mean.

                  Because of our relationship with Christ we are the light. If we live our lives following his example, we will glow like lights revealing to those around us what Christ is like. The way we can hide our light from the world around us is by being quiet when we should speak, by going along with the crowd, by denying the existence of the light, by letting sin in our lives dim the light within us, by not testifying to others regarding the light within us, or by ignoring other’s needs.

                  Jesus has called us all to be beacons of light in a decidedly dark world that exists all around us. This is part of being an ambassador for Christ. We represent him wherever we go. We need to be mindful of that and not forget that if we’re going to say we are a Christian we must ‘walk the talk’. Don’t, by your own words or actions (or lack thereof), shut your light off from the world around you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible (2015)