Jesus' ‘light of the world’ teaching

Last week in this column we discussed Jesus’ calling his followers: “You are the salt of the earth.” Today let us discuss Jesus calling them, “You are the light of the world.” St Matthew recorded the following passage in his gospel, where have the said words, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16).
This glorious saying of Jesus Christ also speaks of the value and the usefulness, like the former epithet, i.e., 'salt of the earth'. We all like and love light. Without light our life is of no value, of no use. With the help of light, we meaningfully relate to and connect ourselves to everything around us. We eagerly wait for the first morning light of the day. Jesus called his disciples and followers ‘the light of the world', as they are to bear witness to the good news of Christ.

As the lights of the world, Jesus’ followers are to illuminate and give light to others. Light is not supposed to be hidden. It is to be seen by people to make things visible. Light serves as a sign for people.  
In a biblical perspective, light is a symbol of truth, holiness and divine guidance. The metaphor of light is used in the scriptures multiple times in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. As an instance, Isaiah 42:6 says, “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." The call to be the light of the world, characterised by the darkness of immorality and falsehood and all the diverse manifestations of sinfulness, requires us to own the inalienable responsibility to live in a way which reveals God and his truth and love for others. The nature of light is that it manifests and reveals itself. If we have the light, it will automatically reveal itself. We are inherently called to be the light of the world as we follow the example and life of Christ, who is the Light of the World.
Those who truly called to follow Jesus Christ intended to outwardly reflect the truth and goodness which he himself came to the world to reveal. They have this identity to testify to the truth about Christ right here and now in our present world, not somewhere or some day in the unknown future. Their faith in the Lord and Master, Christ, must be seen in real-life situations, in action and not merely in belief or in doctrine only. Christ sacrificed his life for teaching this truth.
The nature of things in our world is that most people like to live in darkness – i.e., spiritual darkness. They lack any regard and consideration for true life. Their mind-set is blinded by the power of the Evil, the god of this world. Life for them is characterised by greed and lust, hatred and jealousy, haughtiness and pride and hypocrisy and falsehood. Jesus talks to us about spiritual light for those who live in that darkness. His followers are called ‘light’ and are expected to embody his light to help others come out of darkness to the life of light. The way we live matters. If we live the life that Jesus taught us to live, we live as lights in this world of pervasive sin and darkness.
We are supposed to let Christ’s light shine through us and to give others that light. For this we need to be able to distinguish between light and darkness. Today, lamentably, there is some kind of compromise. We sometimes, and in some things, do not maintain the sharp line of distinction between light and darkness. We need to read and study God’s Word for our learning and then live in accordance with his life-giving Word. The Psalms say, “Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (119:89); “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path” (119:105). Paul, the apostle, wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Let the light of God’s world continue to enlighten and empower us and our lives that we may worthily magnify God, love him and serve him in loving others!
______________________________________
The writer is a Christian Theology teacher and Church leader