God's Word for Me Today
Tuesday, December 4, 2001
Unwrapping a Christ-Centered Christmas!
A note about online study
Introduction to God's Word for Me Today
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, in our reading today the focus shifts from Jesus being the Light of the world, to my being the light of the world. As Jesus tells me, please let my light shine before everyone I meet this day that seeing the good works in me, they may glorify You. God, please remind me every moment that good works are never mine. They come from You. My soul purpose in living is to love You and serve You that every man, woman and child on the earth may have the opportunity to know You in this generation. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may be salt and light in this often dark and tasteless world. All these things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
God's Word for Me Today: Matthew 5:13-16
13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Questions for Reflection
Which of Jesus’ images for us as His followers do you like the best? Why?
What aspects of the light of Jesus shine through most clearly in your life?
Consider how today’s Scripture would be presented if it were “updated” using salt and light illustrations from 2001.
Questions for Exploration
What two images does Jesus use to portray what His disciples are to do in the world? (5:13-16)
What is the result of Christians living as “salt” and “light” in the world? (5:16)
Questions for Understanding
What does it mean for us to be “salt” and “light” in the world?
According to the Scripture in what ways can we hinder God’s work through us?
Questions for Application
What is one way you can be “salt” to others today? DO it!
What is one way you can be “light” to others today? DO it!
Salt and Light!
Jesus selected two powerful analogies to describe what Christians are to be and do in the world—salt and light. In Jesus’ day, as in ours, salt was seen as a great taste enhancer for food. In the same way, we are to add zest and flavor to the lives of those around us. The picture of the dismal and dreary Christian, who can’t seem to generate a smile is the antithesis of what Jesus was talking about when He called us the salt of the earth! The other major purposes of salt in Jesus’ day was as a preservative and a healing agent. We are called to preserve the truth, to preserve life, and to share the healing power of Jesus with others every day. Jesus points out the devastating truth that if salt loses its flavor it isn’t worth a thing. It is thrown out and walked on by others. As His followers, Jesus provides us with opportunities to add flavor, preserve life and truth, and be agents of healing every single day! We are intended to be “poured out.” Salt in the shaker is worthless salt, and eventually loses its taste. So let’s get out of the shaker and into people’s lives today!
When Jesus said we are the light of the world, He made another obvious point—a lamp is not lit and then hidden under a basket. It’s put on a stand so everyone can see it. In the same way our lights are to shine in the world so people will see our good deeds and praise our Heavenly Father. The good deeds we do come from God. They provide light for others—but only if we let them know we are followers of Jesus. We may do a good deed for someone and all they may think is that we’re a good person. They may give the credit to us! Nothing could be worse than that, for it builds up our own pride, something none of us needs, and it fails to attribute the glory to God. All our light is “reflected” light. We are as the moon is to the sun. The moon doesn’t “shine” it simply reflects the light of the sun. In the same way we can only “shine” when the light of Jesus is coming into our lives and being reflected out to others. One of the great realities of being the light of the world is that there is literally nothing we can do, but receive Jesus’ light and share it. This removes our opportunity for boasting. It also relieves us from the effort of generating goodness. In fact, as Jesus pointed out, it is the nature of light to shine. One could light a lamp and put it under a basket to hide the light, which doesn’t make much sense, but one could. In the same way, once Jesus has become the Savior and Lord of our lives, we naturally shine with His light in us. The only way it won’t come out is if we “hide under a basket,” if we won’t let His light shine through us to others. Sometimes fear keeps the light “hidden.” Sometimes it’s our old nature, our stubborn will, or our pride. Whatever the reason, Jesus makes it clear that we ARE the light of the world. It is a reality, not something that we grow into over time. So let’s let the light of Jesus shine. Then when others see the “light,” the good deeds, they’ll give glory to God for His light in us—and if they don’t we’ll set them straight! After all we’re the light of the world, but Jesus is the LIGHT of the world!
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