Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.Matthew 5:15  ESV

Recurrent Thought

Light is meant to shine, if not, its being and purpose is compromised.

Every person is set into the earth to bring glory and honor to God (Rev. 4:11). It is also correct to note that people bring glory to God through their Good Works, a lot more than while they perform their singular and individualized religious active worship of their God. Good Works done by Christ devoted followers are a major way of preparing the atmosphere of light of God to others. Therefore, when Christ devoted-followers neglect good works, they are in essence not providing the platform for others to seek God.

Good Works, provided by the heart and hands of one transformed by the Christ, are great vehicles to present the mercy and grace of God to those who have not yet experienced such.

Matthew 5:15, reveals the responsibility borne by every Christ devoted follower to present the good news in all ways possible including through Good Works.

Historical Note

• Historically, at this time the innovation of candle was not yet exploited. What we should see in this text is a lamp, usually the one that consisted of a lighted wick dipped oil.
• In this illustration Jesus shows the absurdity and danger of believers who do not witness for him, nor do good works to impact others. You can’t put a lighted lamp under a grain basket, without the risk of burning it.
• Please don’t even innovate in your mind, thinking they were Lamp sheds, nay. This is covering the lamp under your basket like dengu.
• In essence, it is equally absurd and dangerous not to speak for Christ.

Interestingly, what we have in this passage are basket-covered lights, Lamps without light, indeed Hidden Lamps!

Here are three Truths about You as a Light to the World

1. Do the Right Thing: Shine as Light
   • The right thing is that you light the lamp you ensure that all have opportunity to see in the darkness
   • It is demanded of you to deliberate do the right thing
   • You are duty bound to do it the right way: This Person in the metaphor, indeed lite the lamp, but they did it in a wrong way
   • Responsible people do things responsibly. Responsible people do good works in the right way
   • Your responsibility is to act well. Follow what is obvious. Put the lamp on the stand and shine
   • You are duty bound to do the right thing: Shine in darkness
   • You are duty bound to do the right thing: Shine that ll people within your vicinity see the Light
   • Do not deliberately mess the role of Light
   • The Purpose of the Your Good Works is to shine and bring the impact to your community
2. Don’t Hide Your Identity & Purpose
   • Your Identity is that You are Light and your purpose is to Shine in darkness
   • In this verse, the light is being hidden and its capacity to shine compromised!
   • You’re being a Light of the World and a City set on the Hill is not accidental but necessary
   • Many times as Christ Devoted followers we just hide our identities for no clear reason. We don’t tell others about our faith and we don’t want even to start the subject.
   • Some reasons as to why we hide who we are include:
   • Fear to be mocked or persecuted:
   • We must understand that this is very possible. You will be mocked and possibly persecuted for preaching the Gospel. Jesus experienced it and he promised us his, wisdom and presence (Math. 10:16-25)
   • I don’t know how to speak
   • Sometimes we fall into the trap and fallacy of believing we are incapable and incompetent. We want to be too sure, we can do it. Therefore, we learn and learn, and learn and we don’t stop learning. The longer we sit to learn the more we postpone  to go out. But great witnesses do it, while learning. We don’t do it one after the other but both /and; simultaneously.
   • Intimidations
   • This is the condition of being scared by the circumstances and the nature of the people we are supposed to reach out to. It makes us feel we are dwarfs, we are not ready, it is not the right time and we believe a lie that we may not say the right thing, etc. However, Jesus promises to give you the right words to say in those situations (Math. 10:18-20)
   • Luke-warmness: Carelessness and Apathy.
   • This can be brought by many insidious lifestyle changes as believers. Luke warmness may be created by a lifestyle of materialism where we don’t comprehend the weight of eternity over our temporal living. We are tempted to blend in, behave like non-believers and love to enjoy earthly pleasures.  Or it could be we have become so prayerless and we don’t see things from God’s perspective. We are not close enough to Him to hear His call for people to send, (Isaiah 6:8) or His plea for intercessors to stand in the gap (Eze. 22:30)
   • Isa 6:8  And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” 
   • Eze 22:30  And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none
3. The Grace You Carry is for Others too
   • The Grace of Goodness rendered to you, is supposed to bless both You and others
   • What heals you, is adequately capable to heal others
   • The Light at work in you, is capable to change the fortunes of others too.
   • What God has communicated to you freely, is supposed to be given to others freely. Freely you have received and freely you should give to others. The Word says “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matt. 10:8)
   • Many times because of familiarity, we neglect the Grace that once touched us, but the same is so potently powerful for others that are in need of it
   • That which you casually hide, may be a powerful solution to others in desperate need.
   • Don’t despise the usefulness of the light, the grace and the gifts you carry.
   • The Gifts that are in you, are not supposed to be concealed or hidden, they are to be used to the service of humanity.
   • You are enlightened so that others may see; You already benefited so that others may benefit also.

Conclusion

• We must be responsible to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ; we must also be ready to perform Good Works that impact the World and bring glory and honor to the Lord (Matt. 5:15-16)

Altar Time

• Lord, let me not be hidden to those seeking You