Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
This is an interesting verse, and I venture to say that many of us have probably heard it before. But as I was thinking about it, it's an interesting juxtaposition against another verse that talks about being the light of the world.
It comes from Jesus's own mouth in the same way that this one does as well. In John chapter 8, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever walks in darkness will find light in Me." It's interesting—we just read that you are the light of the world. How can it be true that Jesus would describe Himself as this, but also then say to the follower of His Way that you are the light?
Walking in the Light
In John chapter 12, Jesus is talking about light as well. Toward the end of that section of Scripture, He says something like, "The light will be among you for just a little while. Walk while the light is with you, and you will become children of the light." In other words, Jesus is the light of the world. When we walk in His proximity, we become children of the light. Then when we live, we become light to the world as well.
If you're picking up what I'm laying down, the light source is Jesus. We get to carry the light into the world. You might be wondering, why is that little bit of extra explanation important? Why can't we just say that we're the light of the world, a city on a hill, that it's our job to shine the light?
Understanding the Source
It's important to start with the source of light, because without us understanding where the light comes from, we can't sustainably do the thing that Jesus instructs in Matthew chapter 5 and verse 14, because it goes on to say, if you keep reading, that this light that is the city on a hill, this light that should shine, shouldn't be covered up. But then Jesus says in the text, "Let your light shine."
I'm going to be real elementary for a second. Do you remember the song "This Little Light of Mine"? I don't know that you really want me to sing it, because that would probably ruin the rest of your day. But I will tell you the words: "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine." Now, you know those words. I know those words. I've been singing them probably my whole life. But something hit me uniquely when I was thinking about this verse and that song.
Let It Shine
Do you ever catch what it says about this light that we're supposed to be distributing? "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine." Let. Now, me saying this might be super obvious, but just give me one minute. Letting the light shine is different than shining your light. Jesus actually instructs that we would let the light shine. In other words, that brings a great amount of relief. It gives a great amount of hope, because it's not up to us to shine light into the world in our own strength.
It's not up to us to be the light to anyone else. It's up to us to let the light that is in us come forward. The thing we have control over is whether we will put a lampstand underneath a covering, whether we are the ones who suppress this light that wants to shine through. The source of life is Him. The source of light is Him. Let's let His light shine through us today. Let's be encouraged knowing it's not up to us. It's all in His glory, according to His power.
