MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011
“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.” Matthew 5:14-15
READ
Light is an important theme in the Bible. Light is always given in contrast to darkness. The contrast between light and darkness is a universally understood contrast between good and evil. But what makes this statement especially important is the fact that Jesus does not say ‘you carry the light,’ or ‘you point to the light,’ but He says ‘you are the light of the world.’ This is an amazing statement and an incredibly important calling. Our world is clearly in darkness but the light in that darkness is us.
Many people have said that we reflect the light of God with our lives. Light is naturally reflective, and so we can reflect the glory of God into this world. But Jesus was speaking to a crowd who had little education in optics. When He says that we are the light of the world, He’s not saying that we reflect it, He’s saying that we are the light of the world. Because when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and works through us to do good works in the world, it is not us reflecting God, it is God working through us to bring light into the darkness.
PREPARE
- Praise God for who He is
- Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing
- Allow His Spirit to draw you near
- Listen as He speaks to you
PRAY
- Pray that we can be open to God working through us
- Pray that we can understand what it means to be light
TRUST
- Thank God for hearing you
- Trust that God is at work to accomplish His will
FOLLOW
What’s happening around us?
International Justice Mission (IJM) is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM works with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators & to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems.
Help support IJM by beginning a fundraising campaign such as a sporting event, dinner or book club, or get involved with their youth “Loose Change to Loosen Chains” campaign. As well, familiarize yourself with what IJM is up to and be sure to advocate and pray for their cause. http://www.ijm.org/