This Little light of Mine
You are the light of the world-Jesus
Light is something we take for granted in 21st century America. We turn on a switch and immediately we have light in a room. Electricity is considered a basic human right by some, which always makes me laugh because much of the world has done just fine without it for centuries.
When we read the Word, it is easy to read our understanding and culture into it. We all have a lens that we take in Scripture through, and sometimes we need to be reminded of that lens. It’s not always a BAD lens, but mine is often a 21st century American lens and that can lead to some assumptions that are not seen in Scripture. In my first walk through The Museum of the Bible, one of these assumptions was challenged.
The Museum of the Bible is a phenomenal, God-glorifying, awe-inspiring building, that gives a deeper understanding of the Word of God. They have artifacts from all over the world that enlighten eyes to how magnificent the Bible really is. One of their exhibits is a village complete with houses, a synagogue, and character reenactors telling their story of life there in this 1st– century Israeli village. As I walked through this village and ducked into one of the houses I was struck by two things. First, it was DARK inside those homes. Second, there were oil lights all over them and….it was still that dark.
I began to ponder this-what is the point of these tiny lights, the oil lamps were about the size of the palm of my hand, when it clearly doesn’t emit enough light to actually light a room? And then, I was hit with Matt 5:14-
You are the light of the world.
These oil lamps were the lights that were available to Jesus and everyone who would have heard Him speak this verse. These are the visuals that they would have thought of.
But not me. In my 21st century American mind I think of the huge sky-searching lights that casinos or race-tracks have. Ones that light the sky and you can literally see 10 miles away. Those are the types of lights I read into this verse-big, attractive, easy to spot, attention getting lights. But that’s not the light that was available during the time of Christ. These oil lamps were small, emitted a small light and needed to be refilled by oil (all sorts of Holy Spirit teaching in that, but I’ll save that for another post).
So here are a few thoughts about these lights and being the light of the world.
First, these lamps could only affect the immediate space around them. They were not made to affect an entire room, only a small area. Where are you called to shine your light? It is most likely in an immediate area, to a circle that the Lord has placed you in. Are you shining? Is the light of Christ in you having any effect on others?
Secondly, realize that lights need to be spread out to be useful. Yes, having a fellow Christian in your immediate circle is a blessing, but God often spreads out His children, so they can shine the light of Christ to their small circles. Be faithful to shine. Enjoy the gathering of the saints in worship on Sunday and other times during the week, but understand that He has called every Christian to be a light for Him and lights are noticed when it’s dark.
Third, be OK being a “small” lamp. There is no jockeying for God’s blessing and being a bigger and brighter lamp. Faithfully effect the sphere He has you in and choose contentment over frustration with the place you are called to shine in. To be completely honest, we’re often wishing God would pick us up and place us in a new room, with people who are less annoying and easier to love. But sanctification is found in the difficult times of working out our obedience and choosing Jesus and His desires over our own.
Finally, let’s tie in the last part of this section- Matthew 5:16.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Does any earthly light just exist for itself? No. A lamp/light is a tool. It is useful. We install lights in our homes so we can see when it is dark. So too with our lives and the light we shine- we are not just here for ourselves. Lights are most appreciated when it is dark. We shine so others may see us and then past us to our Lord who has placed His light IN us. A lamp has no purpose unless it is lit and shining.
Oil lamps were small and insignificant compared to what one light bulb can now do, but they brought needed insight and clarity to a verse I have always considered through my American lens. How good of the Lord to give insight and encouragement through such an insignificant part of a Bible-village tour.
May our lights be full of oil, shining and making a difference in the immediate area we are called to shine. And may we shine in a way that glorifies our Father, always pointing to Him and His glory.
