Matthew 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (NLT)

Today’s passage is part of Jesus’ most famous sermon – his Sermon on the Mount.  When we think of the Sermon on the Mount, we often think of the Beatitudes.  The Sermon on the Mount is much more, and this short passage is quite powerful.  Essentially, this passage is telling us that we should be making difference in the world.  

Jesus tells us something quite profound about ourselves, but first let’s consider what Jesus said in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world.” I think we can all say Amen to what Jesus says in that verse, but now consider what Jesus tells us in verse fourteen above: “You are the light of the world.”  How can Jesus be the Light of the World and you and I also be the light of the world?  We go back to John 8:12 and look at the entire verse:  “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

We can easily affirm that Jesus is the Light of the world, but as followers of Jesus we have Jesus’ light within us.  We do not receive that light to keep to ourselves, and this is what Jesus shares in the Matthew 5:16.  We have received the Light for the very purpose of letting other people see Jesus in us.  In essence, Jesus is telling us that Christians should be seen and heard.  Our presence should be noticed by the world.  We should be making a difference.  Our good deeds should be seen by all people – not just by a few of the people who know us, but by all!

I find this challenging, and it is a challenge that I know I cannot live up to on my own power.  It is the very presence of Jesus within us that makes this possible.  I often ask church members this question: “How much Jesus do you really want?”

Today, let’s seek the very presence of Jesus in our lives, so that others may know something of Jesus.  You may very well be the only way someone may come to know Jesus.  Challenging?  Of course, but Jesus has called us to be Light, so let’s shine!

Posted by Ramón Torres