If I were to meet one person from the Bible, other than Jesus, it would most certainly be John the Baptist. He certainly was an eccentric man with profound insights into Scripture and God. The Gospel of John, Chapter 1, records that John the Baptist “came as a witness to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” Of course, this passage is in reference to the coming birth of Jesus, who was the true light of the world.

With that in mind, how interesting is it that Matthew 5 records Jesus saying, “You are the light of the world.” I wrote earlier in this devotional series that a disciple is not merely someone who wanted to be like Jesus. A disciple is someone who wanted to be Jesus, in that they act and do everything the way that Jesus would. Jesus telling us that we are the light of the world is an extension of this thought. We are to be the light of the world for a purpose, “so that [others] may see [our] good works and give glory to [our] Father in heaven.”

We are to act in a way worthy of Jesus; so that when people look at us from the outside, they are blinded by the light that is Christ.

Prayer

God of love, through your light, reveal to me the dark places of the world so that I might enter them and shine your good news. Amen.