GSC MODULE 60: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

The light of Christ spreads out to the whole world

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY

MODULE 60

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

A LIGHT IS MEANT TO BE SEEN - AND SEEN VERY CLEARLY INDEED.

It enlightens the path, brightens the darkness, and warms the heart with its simple warm beauty.

Many light candles, swing burning incense, burn fires and light beautiful lamps.

The love of light is intrinsic in every human being, with its connotations of warmth, safe shelter and sustenance.

The light that God brought to the darkness during creation is the very symbol of His action. 

Light is, in essence, a mark of sanctity and religion.

The houses in Palestine of the time of Jesus were dark with only one small circular window perhaps about eighteen inches across.

The lamp was a little clay sauce-boat shape filled with oil, the wick floating therein.

If a lamp went out, it was not easy to enkindle it at a time prior to the swiftness of matches and firelighters.

The lamp usually stood on a lampstand, sometimes as simple as a shaped wooden branch.

When people left the home, they removed the lamp from its stand, and put it under an earthen bushel measure.

This was in order to ensure that the lamp might burn without risk of fire until their return.

Christ mandated us not to hide the radiance of our faith as the light was hidden under a bushel. 

Instead, our inner light is meant to shine boldly out to all as witness to the Christ Whom we follow.

This light is manifested in various ways.

The way we treat others, from unborn infants to the deeply senior, should reflect deepest respect.

Our business practices, our home lives, the way we speak to - and treat - parents, family and friends should show we are Christians: caring, faithful, loyal and loving.

The language we use, the way we speak to God, the time we give Him in worship, the literature we view, all should indicate honor to the Highest God and His all-holy Son, Jesus Christ.

We have been given a powerful mandate from Jesus; He did not tell us to be merely a light in the church; He commanded us to shine our personal inner light before the entire world.

Our light proves further a guide, and at times a warning light - such as that of a lighthouse. 

The Christian is required to make the road to God clear to others. 

Sometimes it is necessary for the dedicated disciple to have the moral strength and courage to warn others who are on the wrong road.

This is not always a comfortable venture: however, it is an indispensable one.

Many are the moral shoals on which another may shipwreck their life, and put their eternal salvation at risk.

The true light-giver disciple of Christ cannot hide the light of warning under a bushel.

At Easter candles are lit from the large candle symbolizing Christ the Light of the world. These in turn pass the light from candle to candle until a stream of living fire breaks the darkness of the night.

In the same way we too are called, as disciples, to become witness to the living light Who is our Christ, the supreme Saviour and Witness to Truth before the world.