28/04/2025
Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
[14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
[15] 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.
[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Christ spoke about our purpose in this manner, saying, "Ye are the light of the world". Now, that's a metaphor in literal sense. 'You' in the sentence is a plural word. So, we are the light of the world. So, what does light mean?, Christ likened us to light.
Light is a source of illumination. In physics, it's defined as a form of energy that enables us to see, to perceive. Visualize a bulb in a room, when it is turned on, it illuminates the whole room. The light of the bulb cannot be hidden, everyone sees its brightness and radiation.
Our Lord Jesus spoke of us being "a city that is set on hill" that we cannot be hidden. When you see places like Las Vegas, NYC, or even Paris, at night time, they illuminate. These cities are like explicit examples of what Jesus was talking about. They cannot be hidden cause they illuminate with flashy colors, and its brightness attracts people.
In addition, He said, "neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel". A bushel is a dry measure, used in measuring dry commodities such as wheat, grain or fruit. You don't light a candle; then conceal it, and expect it to give light. You place it in the open, for people to see it, for it to lighten the whole room. Jesus said you put it on a stand, and it will give light unto all that are in the house.
So, on the otherhand, it is not the house that needs lighten, but the people in the house that needs light. Light also means source of inspiration. When a person receives light, it means inspiration. That person or Individual has been inspired.
As ambassadors of Christ, representatives of the King, our purpose is to testify of the truth. What is the truth? Christ is the truth. We ought to inspire people with the truth — Christ Jesus. Inspire means to infuse into the mind, or to communicate to the spirit.
Breakdown
To better understand the texts, finding the right denotations for each word is necessary. Candle, in the verse 15, is light — a source of illumination. Then there's the word "light" before the word "candle", meaning to illuminate: because in literal sense, it's a verb. Moreover, light also means understanding or knowledge. Now the candle gives light, denoting that it gives knowledge, understanding or information.
The next verse [16] says, "let your light so shine before men,..." What is your light? What is your passion? I liken light unto passion or truth. What is the thing that you possess which attracts people to you and Christ? People are attracted to passion and authenticity — the truth. Passion means enthusiasm, which is derived from the Greek words "en", "theos" and "ousia", which translated as God's essence within. Every single human being that walks the face of the earth possesses enthusiasm — God's essence inside.
When God formed man from the dust, He breath into man, the breath of life — His essence. Breath is the Hebrew word "Ruach" meaning spirit or breath. He inspired man with His true nature. Man carries the nature of God inside him, but his mind is obscured to perceive it. Your light is the God within you.
Christ said, let it so shine before men, that they may see your good works. Your work is a reflection of your passion. Know this: work is different from job or career. Shine as in radiate. People see your passion through your works. Then our Lord tells us why we should shine, that they may glorify your Father which is in heaven. That's is how you attract men to Christ and the Father. They shall acknowledge Him, He says.
Now, I conclude with this verse:
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee." – Isaiah 60:1 KJV
Stand, shine, for men to see your works and come to knowledge of Christ and the Father. Blessed are your ears that hear, and your eyes that see. And remain forever blessed of our Lord Jesus. Shalom.