Shine Your Light

Matthew 5:14-16

Ye are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We often hear that Jesus is the Light of the world…and He is…but Jesus, himself said, “YE (you and me) are the light of the world."  He continues by giving an analogy… “a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” 

Have you ever been driving/riding down the road.  It’s nighttime and dark outside.  Yet, in the distance you see a brightly lit area, shining up into the night’s sky and you know that there is a town just ahead.  That city’s lights bring comfort knowing there’s a place not too far away where you can get something to eat or a place to find a hotel to rest at for the night.

When Jesus made this statement “a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” He was talking to you and me….we are to be like that city set on a hill that cannot be hid and is shining our light in this dark world, showing others the way to Jesus.

Jesus went on to use the analogy of a candle placed on a candlestick.

In the time when Jesus walked the earth, there were no electric lights.  They couldn’t just flip a switch and light up a room.  They had to light a candle, and then another to illuminate the house. 

One candle placed on a candlestick can bring enough light into a room that a person can see well enough to maneuver around the room without tripping over objects. 

When I first moved to Louisiana, it had not snowed there in 10 years.  The year we moved there from Wisconsin (where the snow was up to our knees), God decided to send snow to Louisiana.  Unfortunately, when it snows in La, there is usually ice accompanying it.  

The ice formed on the trees which then caused limbs to snap and break which in turn led them to falling onto power lines which, as a domino effect would have it, we were left without power…for a full week.   Thankfully, we had a gas fireplace for heat, but we had to use candles in order to see to walk down the hall or go into the bathroom.  Thankfully, we still had running water and a gas stove that we could heat water on for bath times.  Those candles provided us light so we were not sitting or stumbling around in the darkness.

Going back to the analogy Jesus used in Matthew 5, He said a candle placed on a candlestick giveth light UNTO ALL that are in the house.

This world today is so messed up, stumbling around in darkness, unsure of which gender they are, calling evil good and good evil, legalizing drug use while trying to silence those who dare to say anything about the Bible.  If we don’t shine as a light and stand for Truth, how will they know the way?

You and I are the light of the world!  We MUST let our light shine!

Too often, we become intimidated and try to hide our light under a basket…at school, at work, out in public places.

Instead of shining for Jesus, we try to hide and blend in…. 

“I can’t wear skirts all the time – if I do, my friends might make fun of me”   Wear the skirt anyway and with pride. 

“I’d better laugh at that crude joke or they might snub me and think I’m odd”   Would Jesus approve and laugh at that joke if He was standing there?  Would He be okay with you or me laughing at those off color jokes?

“I can’t pray over my food in front of everyone.  No one else does it and they might think I’m weird and laugh at me.”   Pray anyway!  Jesus deserves our gratitude.

The world pushes their ungodliness without shame.  Why should we be embarrassed to take a stand for Jesus?

Are you embarrassed to stand for Jesus?

Peter, a former fisherman turned Disciple, followed Jesus everywhere.  He walked with Him. He talked with Him.  He witnessed miracle after miracle.  Peter was completely sold at and dedicated to Jesus…or so he thought.

Jesus gathered His disciples to eat the ‘Last Supper’ before He was led away to be crucified.  The disciples did not realize that was the very last supper they would eat with Him.  They were rejoicing and singing a hymn then followed Jesus into the mount of Olives where they were going to pray.  (Well, actually they all fell asleep while Jesus went to pray). (Ref: Mt 26:17-46)

But before Jesus went to pray, He warned them that they were all going to be offended that night because of Him.  Peter adamantly refuted that statement…

Mt 26:33

Though all me shall be offended because of Thee,
yet will I never be offended.

Basically, Peter was telling Jesus, “I’ll never be embarrassed to be called a Christian!” 

Later that night, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter was the one who was bold and brave and step forward with a sword to cut off the ear of the servant of the High Priest while trying to defend Jesus.  It appeared he was holding true to his word.

It was easy to appear to be brave and unashamed when he could see Jesus and know He was right beside him.  The true test came a short time later when Jesus was not around.

They had led Jesus away and placed Him on trial.  Peter followed from a distance and sat with the servants outside the high priest’s palace around the fire with others who were waiting to see what would become of Jesus.  (Mt 26:58)

A young lady recognized Peter as one of the Disciples who had followed Jesus.  Peter, who was so bold and fearless earlier, now became a little fearful and denied that he had been with Jesus. 

He got up quickly and went out on to the porch.  There, he met another young lady who recognized him as one who had traveled with Jesus and mentioned it.  Again and more adamantly, he denied their accusation with an oath said, “I do not know the man!”

A short time later, some more people recognized him and mentioned that he was one who had been with Jesus.  A third time and this time more vehemently, Peter once again denied that he knew Jesus as he began to curse and swear, saying, “I know not the man!”

And immediately, the rooster crowed….just as Jesus had foretold.

Peter felt such conviction over his denial that he went out and wept bitterly. (Mt 26:69-75)

Peter had been ashamed to be associated with Jesus.  Peter denied knowing Him (he lied) and joined those who were using foul language with cursing and swearing so he would appear to fit in with them.  But he did not continue in that sin.  He felt conviction (God prodding his heart that he was doing wrong), listened to that conviction, and repented with bitter tears.

Peter was ashamed to be associated with Jesus out of fear for his life.  (although later he stood boldly, preaching the Gospel despite the threat of death for preaching the Name of Jesus)

We become ashamed and embarrassed to stand out as a Christian, and yet the only consequence we’re going to face is someone making fun of us or snubbing us.

There are people in other countries who are being brutally tortured and murdered for serving Jesus.  And yet we are afraid to look different or be different because someone might laugh at us and hurt our feelings.

We were not created to blend in – we were born again to stand out.  

We are to be a reflection of Jesus Christ.  We are to be a light!

So, shine your light! Don’t be ashamed to be different, to stand out. 

Mark 8:38
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words
in this adulterous and sinful generation;
of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed…

If we’re ashamed to shine as a light in this adulterous and sinful world, Jesus said He’ll be ashamed of us.

The world is unashamed to promote ‘gay pride’…they have become emboldened and try to force us to believe that way.

The world blares their head banging rock/rap/country music that promotes all kinds of ungodliness and hatefulness.  The music is promoting murder, pride, rebellion, unfaithfulness in relationships and people are fine with it playing in stores and restaurants but then complain and have a problem when Christian songs are playing.  

Evil is accepted and Good is shunned!    

People in the world proudly walk around with t-shirts that promote ghosts, wizardry, and witchcraft. That boast and post about the latest movie that may be out which contains magic and so much content that is contrary to the Bible.  And yet, if a Christian tries to say anything about Jesus, they try to intimidate and silence us.

I became more respected at school and in work places by continuing to stand for Christian values.  It didn’t happen at first.  I was made fun of, teased, taunted, ridiculed, snubbed, shunned…all because I was Pentecostal.  But I kept standing for Jesus.  And over time, I found they began to respect me for it. 

But even if I never gained their acceptance or approval, the main One I’m seeking acceptance and approval from is Jesus Christ.

Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to live for Jesus.  He bore the shame of the Cross for each of us.  How much more should we strive to live for Him?

As we go back to school, to work, or wherever we may go out in public (or even in our home)… 

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE FOR JESUS!

Ye are the light of the world! So, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.