"No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In
the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see
your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:15-16 (CSB)
Yesterday we gave a couple of uses of light. Today, we need to
consider a major truth about light – physically and spiritually.
Light is to be seen!
There is no such thing as a secret Christian. We need to be a
light at all times.
Light shines not so much that people may see the light as that
they may see other things because of the light. Our light shines not that
people will be attracted to us but
to the light of Jesus Christ.
“No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a
lampstand…” Matthew 5:15 (CSB)
Palestinian homes were generally dark. Generally, they Have just
one small window. They did not have electricity and light bulbs as we have. Their
light consisted of a lamp which was a bowl
filled with oil that had a wick. When they needed light the lamp was placed on a lamp
stand.
filled with oil that had a wick. When they needed light the lamp was placed on a lamp
stand.
The most difficult thing about having this light in the house was in
lighting the lamp. Remember
they didn’t have matches or lighters. As a result, no one wanted to let their
light go out because it took to much work to get the wick lid again.
So when people went out of the house it was dangerous to leave the
light on so for safety reasons when they left their homes the lamp would be
taken from its lampstand and placed under an earthen vessel where it could
burn risk free.
As soon as someone returned they would put the lamp on the stand.
No one lights a light only to put it under a basket or earthen
vessel we are to let our light shine to the maximum.
I remember the story told of a man whose job it was to be on the
railroad tracks and warn with his lamp the upcoming train of the bridge that
had been damaged. One night as the train came the man waved his lamp but the
train went right into the ditch. The man was taken to court because they wanted
to know why the train did not pay attention to this man who was to warn the
train of the danger ahead. The man was asked by the Judge, “Were you on duty
on
the night that the train had the accident.” The man replied, “Yes, sir.” The judge once again asked did you have your lamp with you? The man replied, “Yes, sir.” The judge asked the last question did you wave your lamp to the train? The man replied, “Yes, sir.” So, the man was not held responsible for the accident. Later as the man went home he told his friend, “I am glad that the judge did not ask me if my lamp was on”
the night that the train had the accident.” The man replied, “Yes, sir.” The judge once again asked did you have your lamp with you? The man replied, “Yes, sir.” The judge asked the last question did you wave your lamp to the train? The man replied, “Yes, sir.” So, the man was not held responsible for the accident. Later as the man went home he told his friend, “I am glad that the judge did not ask me if my lamp was on”
I ask you today, Is your light on?
Remember, the light does not come from within you, you cannot
generate your own light. Your Light comes through Jesus Christ, you reflect His
Light into the world.
When people are around you do they see the Light of Jesus in your
life? Has Jesus Saved you from
your sins? If he has, then you have a testimony to share.
Has Jesus Made a Difference in your Life? If he has, then you have
a testimony to share.
Has God answered prayer for you? If he has, you have a testimony
to share.
Friends, we have a world of people right here around us who are on
a train headed for destruction, we have a Light in Jesus Christ that is bright
enough to save them from eternal destruction.
The question is will we share the light?
Is my Lamp on?
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