SHINING OUR LIGHT

When Jesus tells us not to put our light under a bowl (basket) in the Parable of the Lamp and Lampstand, but to “let your light shine” it occurs to me that the only real way for this to happen is that we first must become the light before it can shine. There is no need to worry about the bowl, or basket, jar, under the bed, the container, and the other things mentioned concerning this parable if we have not become the light. There is no light to hide if there is no light.

Jesus goes on to say that the light is so that those who enter may see the light. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” The light we have is to glorify the Father not to put us in the spotlight.

The other three gospels tell us that the light exposes all darkness, anything hidden, as In Luke’s gospel, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”

So obviously the darkness that we get rid of first is us. John the apostle wrote, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We need the lampstand only after we follow and have the Light.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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.” Jesus