Living in the Light—You Are the Light of the World

Hello, and welcome to Bible Threads with me, Dr. Bruce Becker.

Today we continue with the next episode of our new series entitled Living in the Light.

In this series, we are exploring 10 different ways that the word light is used in the Bible

and the amazing significance they have for our lives.

But before we get to today's episode, I want to thank you again for listening to Bible

Threads and want to encourage you to subscribe to the new Bible Threads YouTube channel so

that you don't miss an episode.

As I've mentioned before, Bible Threads has a new home on YouTube.

The Bible is incredibly interconnected with threads that run through it from beginning

to end.

In this podcast, I will uncover these threads, help you dig deeper into God's truth and

inspire you to live your life with greater confidence and joy.

Welcome to Bible Threads with me, Dr. Bruce Becker.

How far in this series on Living in the Light, we did a deep dive into the light created

by God on the first day of creation.

When we learned how God Himself is light, how God's Son Jesus is the light of the world,

and how God's Word the Bible is a lamp for our feet and a light for our paths as we travel

through life.

Our episode for today leads us to discover how Christians are also the light of the world.

Today we'll be looking at several examples from the Bible that show how Christians live

out their lives as the light of the world.

Let's start today with a question.

Have you ever heard of the play on words analogy of the Sun, S-U-N, and Moon in our galaxy

being compared with the Sun, S-O-N, and the followers of Jesus?

As you know, the Sun is the light source in our galaxy, and although the Moon lights

up the nighttime sky, the Moon isn't a light source.

It only reflects the light of the Sun, S-U-N.

So Christians have been compared to the Moon as a way to illustrate how Christians reflect

the light of Christ in a world darkened by sin.

Now it's true that Christians reflect the light of Christ in their lives, but the analogy

is not completely accurate.

That's because Christians, because of the Sun, S-O-N, are actually a source of light,

not just people who reflect the light of Christ.

It's a both-hand.

Early in Jesus' ministry he delivered a message, a sermon, if you will, on a mountain side,

so not surprisingly it's been called the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus began that message with what are known as the Beatitudes.

These are statements of blessings.

For example, blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure and heart, for they will see God.

What's interesting is how this list of blessings end.

Blessed are you, when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil

against you because of me.

rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted

the prophets who were before you.

The section ends with a reality check.

Followers of Jesus will face resistance and persecution, just as the Old Testament prophets

did, and just as Jesus did.

But even though persecuted, we will be blessed by God.

Immediately after Jesus told his followers that they would be persecuted, he went on

to describe them as salt and light.

Firstly said, you are the salt of the earth.

Salt as it's referred to in the Bible symbolize purity, loyalty, God's covenant, and was

used as a preservative.

Salt was used in all of the Old Testament sacrifices as a reminder of God's enduring covenant

with His people.

Salt was also used to preserve food in the days before refrigeration, and salt served as

a seasoning for the food they ate in the same way that we use salt on our food today.

When Jesus stated that His followers were the salt of the earth, He was pointing out

that believers positively impact, preserve, and season the culture in which they live.

So let's not forget that we also are the salt of the earth, and as long as we are followers

of Jesus, we will always be salt.

And according to Jesus, you are also the light of the world.

Jesus did not say you reflect the light of the world, although that is true, as I mentioned

earlier, Jesus specifically said you are the light of the world.

Then Jesus goes on to describe one example of how Christians live as the light of the

world.

You are the light of the world, a city built on a hill cannot be hidden.

When Old Testament times cities were often built on hilltops, with a wall surrounding

the city, one of the main reasons was for defensive purposes to deter attacking armies.

But another reason was that a city built on a hilltop could be seen from a distance.

It's not possible to hide a city built on a hilltop, it's there for everyone to see.

Even at night, the city could be seen from a distance in the moonlight or the light

seen through the windows of houses.

Jesus compared his light of the world followers to a city on a hilltop.

Followers of Jesus can be seen from a distance by people who may not know us, but who can

tell there's something about us that is positively different.

Jesus continued, neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.

It is the nature of light to shine.

When someone in Jesus' day lit an oil lamp, it was for the purpose of providing light

in the immediate space.

An oil lamp may not be seen from a great distance, but it gives light to those who are close

by.

And one doesn't light a lamp and then cover it up, that would be pointless.

A lit lamp is put on a stand or hung from a wall in order to cast its light around

the entire room.

All of those in the room benefit from the light from the lamp.

In comparing his followers to a lamp, Jesus emphasized that his light of the world followers

can also be seen up close and personal.

And in these up close and personal relationships, we have the opportunity to let our light shine

into the lives of the people we know and hold dear.

In the very next verse of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus gave an illustrative example of how

we are the light of the world.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in heaven.

One of the characteristics of being a light of the world is the good deeds that we do.

So what are these good deeds and why do we do that?

Near the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus gave a glimpse of what will happen on the day

he returns to this earth on what we call the last day or the day of judgment.

Jesus said, when the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, he will

sit on his glorious throne.

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another

as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

So when Jesus returns to this earth on the last day, he will sit on his throne and separate

all people from all nations who have ever lived on planet earth.

And he will separate them into two groups, like a shepherd separates the sheep from the

goats.

The sheep on Jesus' right represent those who put their trust and faith in Jesus during

their lives on this earth.

The goats on Jesus' left represent those who rejected Jesus as God's Son and Savior

during their lifetimes.

Then the king will say to those on his right, come, you who are blessed by my Father,

take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you, since the creation of the world.

For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat.

I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink.

I was a stranger, and you invited me in.

I needed clothes, and you clothed me.

I was sick, and you looked after me.

I was in prison, and you came to visit me.

Now there is quite a bit to on-proud in these words of Jesus.

Jesus began this section in Matthew chapter 25 by saying, when the Son of Man comes in

His glory, the phrase Son of Man is how Jesus referred to Himself.

It emphasized His humanity.

Jesus now switches to, then the king will say to those on his right.

The king is also Jesus, and emphasizes His divinity that He is God.

The king then invites those on his right to, come, you who are blessed by my Father.

God the Father.

He has blessed those who are on the king's right.

Because of the life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, the Father has declared

those on the king's right as righteous, forgiven, and restored children of God.

It wasn't a people thing, it was a God thing.

Because those on the right now belong to God, they can receive an inheritance and become

citizens of God's eternal kingdom.

What comes next is such a powerful example of how every Christian lives as a light of

the world.

The king addressed those on his right with a series of actions that they had done.

I was hungry and he gave me something to eat.

I was thirsty, he gave me something to drink.

I was a stranger and he took me in.

I needed clothes and he gave me clothes.

I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison, and he came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty

and give you something to drink?

When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothes you?

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The king will reply, truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these

brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Those on the king's right, the righteous ones, were somewhat bewildered at the king's

comments.

When did we do all these things for you, King Jesus?

Jesus clarified what he meant.

I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,

you did for me.

So what are some of the practical ways that we can let our light shine among those in need?

The areas of life that Jesus mentioned involved providing the basic necessities of life and

caring for those who face difficult situations.

While we no longer live in a first century society, we have similar opportunities to let

our light shine.

Giving to and supporting local food pantries is one way to provide food to people in need.

There are numerous churches, especially in the metro areas that run food pantries, or

contributing to organizations that help people with the basic necessities of life is another

opportunity.

For example, compassion international and feed my starving children are two organizations

that our family supports, but there are others worthy of consideration too.

When it comes to supporting people with major medical issues or incarcerated in a jail

or prison, there are opportunities to let our light shine there as well.

Many churches have a visitation ministry for those who are hospitalized or homebound.

Some churches have a jail or prison ministry and offer training to those who want to participate

in it.

At time of grace we regularly hear from people in prison who watch our weekly television

program.

In almost all cases they express appreciation for the messages of hope that Pastor Mike

delivers through our video broadcast.

All of these examples and many more are ways that we can let our light shine as people

whom Jesus calls the light of the world.

If this was the only section in the Bible that talked about how one gets the sit on the

right side of the king, we might conclude that it was because of our good deeds.

But there are plenty of other passages that teach us that it is by God's love, His grace,

that declares us righteous because of God's Son.

One of the clearest passages is from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christians living in

Ephesus.

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions.

It is by grace you have been saved.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ

Jesus.

In order that in the hunting ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace.

Breast in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Where it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves,

it is the gift of God, not by words, so that no one can boast.

Where we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared

in advance for us to do.

Isn't that incredible?

Even though we were dead, spiritually dead, our God reached out and saved us because

He loves us.

Because of Jesus we have received the gift of faith.

We are a new creation, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.

Our good works are not the cause of our restored relationship with God, but rather the result

of it.

We are the light of the world because of what the light of the world did for us.

That's why we do good deeds.

It's to give God the glory.

Now we've been talking about the righteous on the King's right.

We should probably finish the day of judgment example by mentioning those on the King's

left.

Then He, that's the King, will say to those on His left.

Apart from me, you who are cursed, into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Where I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing

to drink.

I was a stranger and you did not invite me in.

I needed clothes and you did not clothes me.

I was sick and in prison and you do not look after me.

They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger needing

clothes or sick or in prison and did not help you?

He will reply, cruelly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these,

you did not do for me.

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous who eternal life.

On the last day when Jesus the King returns, we will be judged either on what we believe

Jesus did for us, namely paid for our sins and shortcomings on Good Friday, or judged

on the basis of what we did in our lives.

Those who put their trust and hope in their own accomplishments will not meet the requirements

for entrance into God's kingdom.

Only the blood of Jesus and faith in Him will be the key to the kingdom of God.

Because on the left of the King did not have faith in the King, and therefore would not

inherit eternal life.

I'd like to wrap up our episode for today with one other example in Jesus' day of someone

who let his light shine.

It's the story of the Good Samaritan.

The key to understanding the story of the Good Samaritan is the contact that surrounds

Jesus' telling of the story.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.

Teach her, he asks, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

What is written in the law, he, that's Jesus replied, how do you read it?

He, the expert in the law, answered, love the Lord your God with all your heart and

with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

You have answered correctly, Jesus replied, do this and you will live.

So, there was an expert in the law who came to Jesus, we might call him an Old Testament

Bible scholar.

He came to Jesus to try to trap him into saying something wrong or controversial.

This was a common ploy that the Jewish religious leaders tried with Jesus.

Since this man was an expert in the law, Jesus answered his question by asking his own question.

Well, what's written in the law?

The expert in the law demonstrated that he was indeed an expert in the law.

He responded by saying, love God and love your neighbor.

In other places in the Bible, loving God and loving one's neighbor are called the two

greatest commandments.

But he, the expert in the law, wanted to justify himself so he asked Jesus, who is my neighbor?

In reply, Jesus said, a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked

by robbers.

They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man he passed

by on the other side.

So to alleviate, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was, and when he saw him, he took

pity on him.

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.

Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper.

Look after him, he said, and when I return I will reimburse you for any extra expense

you may have.

Which of these three do you think was unneighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the

robbers?

The expert in the law replied, the one who had mercy on him.

Jesus told him, go, and do likewise.

First let's consider some of the details of Jesus' story about the good Samaritan.

Why did Jesus say that a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho?

Recall earlier that we mentioned that ancient cities were built on hilltops?

Well that was the case with Jerusalem.

The city was built on Mount Mariah, the location where the Lord God had instructed Abraham

to sacrifice his son, his only son Isaac.

Jericho was located in the plain west of the Jordan River, so traveling from Jerusalem

to Jericho would involve a descent in elevation.

One would go down from Jerusalem to Jericho.

The man in the story was attacked by robbers.

They took his clothes and assaulted him, leaving him half dead.

Priest came along and then a Levite.

Priest and Levites were both religious leaders who served in the temple at Jerusalem or in

the synagogues located in Israel.

Both the priest and the Levite ignored the injured man.

In fact they passed by him on the opposite side of the road.

It was pretty intentional to me.

But then an anon Jew came along, a man from Samaria, the piece of real estate located

between Galilee in the north and Judea in the south.

By the way Jews and Samaritans didn't typically get along.

They didn't associate with each other.

But this Samaritan took pity on the man who had been robbed and assaulted.

He bandaged up his wounds and took him to an inn.

The Samaritan gave the innkeeper some money, instructed him to care for the injured man,

and promised to return and pay for any additional expenses that would be incurred.

When Jesus had finished telling this story, he asked the expert in the law which of the

three men was unneighbor to the man who was robbed and assaulted.

The answer was pretty obvious.

It was the Samaritan.

Jesus' response to the expert in the law was to go and treat even your enemies with love.

The Samaritan in Jesus' story is an example of how you and I can be a light of the world

through the good deeds that we do.

Living in the light, you are the light of the world.

If you have any comments or questions about this episode or series, I'd love to hear

from you.

Email me at bruceatimeagrace.org.

In our next episode, we'll explore what it means, a walk in the light.

Thanks for listening, and God bless.