What Of The Light?
Matthew 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
It is advice oft repeated, three times in the text. Let's see what comes of it now as here at the first. There was a man which had bought a candle to be used. But he had put it away privily after the manner of Joseph and Mary when she found out she was with child of the Holy Spirit. Sure, we know this had been given her by God himself, so there was no mystery about from whence Jesus had been sent. Yet this man had treated his little light shamefully, hiding first under a bushel then after that a bed. How silly it would have been to be looking around for light where there was none to be found. So too it would have been equally silly would it not to hide the one you already had. See, the candle is compared to a city as at first. Perhaps you might have heard of John's exile so long ago to a place that looked very much like an island, all by itself. As legends would have it, that's likely the place where John had gone.
But look at the light found in each life. Just as when the light of men had gone out, so too it formed a city set on a hill and hid. How many of you have heard of that one life though, Jesus. His life was the light of men alright for he kept them from walking in darkness within. So too his light formed the light of the world to help such find their way out. You can talk of how wonderful it is to be walking with him and all. Yet when he has called you, you're coming on out. Nor can any stop it or tell him ought of what he has done. See, light simply shines regardless of what any has to say about it. It lights up the house, dispelling the dark. So too does a city sit directly within your own line of sight as something that cannot be hid from your eyes.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Though some have tried to cover it, the light will not be hid for it always finds a way out. Consider if you will a great light like a sun. Should try to put cover or basket over it, even that would not suffice to be hid nor yet ever go out. Now I am not saying that you perhaps should be as that hid city or even the one of John's day, kept all by itself, safely alone. That is why you have need of one greater, for only God could bring about the shift. Only he can keep you in places where you would be snuffed out or invisible. But oh, when the light of the Father shines into your life he makes you plain for all to see and so leaves nothing out. The light of Christ will come then and light up a room, your life, or even a city. Yet when it comes to others, God himself will stop at nothing from saving his people. See then, the light which refused to go out has found for itself a place. When the true Master comes, he will take care of the man which both hid the city and gotten rid of the candle. Yet that is not hardly by half of what is important. The place appointed is nothing more than that of a candle holder, or candlestand that allows for function and support. Soon is there light for the whole house there to be seen not just enough merely for one or two rooms.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
See, only the Father's doing could bring about the shift. Before there was only a hidden city that was in need of a hill and also the Father. So too was there a candle, covered and all by itself. Now though is nothing hid that will not be revealed, even that of the grace of himself, Jesus Christ, Gods own dear Son. Herein lies the realm of the shift. The house which you didn't know was to be had ever before, now stands ready and waiting to welcome the Son. It becomes then a God-sized problem which he alone could mend, heal, or even resolve. How much more should we rather trust him, this God capable of all things and holding the shift. See too how in it he has come to bring the whole world as one back to his Son. From there, his house will soon follow, having not been put by any away.