A New Way of Being: 10 Lessons From the Sermon on the MountSample

Day 3: Being Light

Disciples of Jesus are called to be visible reflections of Jesus to those around them. The Apostle Paul explains how God delivers his people from the control of a world shrouded in spiritual darkness (Col 1:13-14) and the Apostle Peter highlights a disciple’s new purpose of “Proclaiming the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9).

The darkness around us is revealed in people’s lack of purpose, frustrations over guilt, a dissatisfaction with material pleasure, sadness, and even loneliness.

As disciples we are surrounded by darkness, and Jesus commissions us to be light. Apart from Jesus, we cannot be light. Like Moses who after returning from the mountain had to veil his face because it shown with the light of God’s presence, we as disciples cannot be light ourselves, but we can be reflections of divine light.

Jesus tells disciples that they are to be like a city on a hill. The cities surrounding the sea of Galilee, many of which were situated on hills surrounding the water, were perfectly visible at night. Jesus is saying that his disciples’ testimony about God would be as obvious as a town filled with light on a darkened countryside.

Jesus says, “People [do not] light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house” (Matt 5:15). God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness to the kingdom of light for a purpose. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be light. We are called to bear witness of the wonderful things God has done for us.

Question to Ponder:

How will I reflect the light of Jesus today?