My Favorite Verses - Vol IV (Nov 16 to Feb 17)

Matthew 5:14-16 … The Light of the World
(02/04/2017)
“You are the Light of the world … No one after lighting a lamp hides it under the
bushel basket, but places it instead on a lamp stand; where it gives light to all … In the
same way, let your Light shine before others, so that they may see your Good Works and
give glory to your Father in Heaven.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16)
Please note the following important points when reading this passage: First,
note that Jesus tells his audience that they are the Light of the world (which he also
intimates via the more enlightened interpretations of both John 1:3-5 -- “What has come
into being via [the Logos] was life, and that life was the Light of all people. The Light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.” & John 8:12 as well -- “I
am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have
the Light of life”) … Second, note that we are called here not to meditate upon our
Light in private (in contrast to how we are called by Jesus to pray in secret – see
Matthew 6:6-7) but rather are to openly shine out Light via our being; via
courageous words and noble deeds … Third, note that we are to shine this Love
Light not merely upon those we like or those we love – not merely towards those
who are being kind to us or treating us well, but rather upon all others (indeed,
especially upon those who are being “mean” to us or are treating us poorly – see Matthew
5:40-48) … Fourth, note that we do so not to have others Joy-fully receive the
same, but rather to
illuminate their Way –
to remind them that
they too have been
similarly Called to
shine their Love upon
the others in their
lives … and Fifth,
note that this is how
we give glory to our
internal Father (John
14:20), thereby gain
access to our internal
Kingdom of Heaven
(Luke 17:20-21), and
thereby attain what
many call “Salvation”
(John 13:15-17).
Amen ... Let it be so.
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