John 8:12 records Jesus saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” And then in Matthew 5:14, we hear Jesus saying to his disciples, “You are the light of the world.”
What does this imagery of being “light” mean to you? Why would Jesus say that both himself and we are the light of the world? I believe light does things that aptly illustrate the purpose and behavior that Jesus expects from his followers. Let us consider several of those things.
- Light reveals. It penetrates darkness. It makes known what lies hidden in darkness, what contents are in the room. Light shows the path or road, giving both direction and the condition of the way ahead. It warns of obstacles and danger. Light reveals both the good and the bad, truth and lie, beauty and ugly. As followers of Jesus, being light means we penetrate the world’s darkness and make known God’s presence, God’s truth, God’s will. Being light means we bring certainty, direction, purpose, and meaning into our community of confused and hopeless neighbors.
- Light warms. It penetrates coldness. Like the sun warmth, light radiates an invitation to enjoy beauty and warm comfort. As followers of Jesus, being light means we are a warm, comforting presence, radiating God’s love in a world of lonely coldness. Being light means we are Christ’s presence in the school, business, shop, and marketplace, revealing to all that there is more to life than selfish greed and rampant materialism.
- Light awakens. It penetrates sleep. Every morning we are awakened to a new day and new life with new possibilities. As followers of Jesus, being light means we awaken men and women to the present reality of God’s Kingdom, his presence, sovereignty and the only source of ultimate truth, power, and hope for all.
- Light energizes. It penetrates depression and decay. We cannot physically live without light. Light stimulates and encourages growth and healing. As followers of Jesus, being light means we infuse aliveness and growth, stimulating healing and hope in communities plagued by dark depression and hopelessness.
Jesus continues in verses 14-15, telling us that the purpose of light is both to be seen and to be of service to others. This visibility and service is expressed by Jesus with two illustrations, “A town … on a hill” and “a lamp … on its stand.”
“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.”
There can be nothing secretive about the Christian’s commitment to the Jesus way of life. The disciple of Jesus does not hide in fear or to protect self but lives and works in places where their influence can be both seen and felt.
As followers of Jesus, we do not call attention to ourselves, but remain focused on illuminating the way of God for others. Being light means we are a visible witness to the presence of the Kingdom of God and the rule of Christ in our world of darkness.
Jesus concludes with this directive in verse 16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Robert Louis Stevenson looked out his window one evening many years ago, before there were electric lights. As he looked out, he saw the town lamplighter coming down the street, lighting the streetlamps in succession. Stevenson was impressed by the sight and wrote about the lamplighter who went along “punching holes in the darkness.”
Being “the light of the world” it is our privilege and duty to live each day “punching holes in the darkness” so that others may see God and find their way home to him.
I am reminded of the sign that is said to have been on a lamp outside Albert Schweitzer’s jungle hospital in Africa. The sign said, “Here in whatever hour you come, you will find light and help and human kindness.”
May this same invitation radiate from every church and every one of us who claim to be a follower of Jesus. In being “the light of the world” let us be about “punching holes in the darkness” around us.
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 19, 2020
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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