After declaring to his disciples that those who respond to his invitation into the kingdom are blessed—in what is commonly known as the Beatitudes (Matt 5:1-12)—Jesus told his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:14-16).
The next time you are about to turn on the light, consider these questions. When do you turn on the light? Why do you turn it on? We don’t usually turn on the light to look at it. We turn it on in order to find our way in the dark. Light exist not to bring attention to itself but to shine and illumine the surroundings; to give light to everyone in the house.
Brothers and sisters, we are among those who are blessed because the gospel has come to us. So, we are also called to be the light of the world, to live out our identity as the blessed people of heaven: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and those who suffer because of righteousness. All these are values of the kingdom, which are countercultural to the world’s—seen as weak and despised by the world.
However, the good news of God’s kingdom comes to the nations like Christ came at first: in human weakness. The good news of Jesus comes through in the midst of our losses and struggles. The poor in spirit possess the Kingdom; the meek inherit the earth; those who hunger for righteousness are sustained in their struggle. In our weakness, the power of Christ is made perfect. By living in contrast to the world, those who live by kingdom values give light to the world. They bring into view the beauty of life in God’s kingdom but also illumine the brokenness that exists in the world.
As we start a new year, whatever we face, may we follow in the way of Christ as a church, as a family, and as individual followers, giving light to our community, family and friends, colleagues and classmates—being a blessing to all peoples.