By Julie McKinnon, CCCNZ Children and Family Ministries Enabler
Ko koutou te whakamarama o te ao.
O ‘outou o le malamalama o le lalolagi.
You are the light of the world.
Matthew 5:14
When my daughter was little, she hated her room being dark at night. We tried many different versions of night lights throughout her younger years in an effort to get the balance of light and darkness right.
Even a small light in a dark room attracts our eye. Light comforts us. We seek it out, longing for it to illuminate more, grateful for the way it diminishes the darkness.
Jesus being the light of the world is a theme that permeates Scripture. But in Matthew’s gospel we read this amazing statement from Jesus: “You are the light of the world.”
We, followers of Jesus, are the light of the world. We are not just to convey the message that Jesus is the light of the world, we are the light.
Because Jesus has saved us and he indwells us, we have the privilege of being his light to the world.
With this privilege comes responsibility. A light is intended to shine and give direction. It should be conspicuous like a city on hill. We are to be light-radiating people, living in such a way that points people to our Father in heaven for his glory.
Jesus says to “let our light shine before others.” We can do this individually in our own spaces—our workplaces, schools, homes and social groups. But when we do this collectively as church families or even as the larger body of Christ, we will together shine brighter than we can on our own.
As we serve our communities through holiday programmes, CAP courses, food banks, ESOL classes, and many other “good deeds” (Matt 5:16), we are being the light of Jesus in a world where darkness is everywhere.
We do these good works not just to make the world a better place, but so that others may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven.
