Light From Flame

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His disciples they were the salt of the earth.  He alluded to the purpose of salt for seasoning food to improve flavour, for flavourless salt is good for nothing.  Clearly tasteless salt lacked the chemical properties of real salt, as genuine sodium chloride always retains its savour.  Salt was relied upon to preserve meat and flavour foods, and "salt" that lacked flavour was proved to be a worthless substitute.

Jesus continued in the same vein in verses that followed in Matthew 5:14-16:  "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  A city built on a hill would be visible because the man-made structure stood out from shrubs, rocks and trees.  The walls and gates of a city on a hill could be an imposing sight for people near and far.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden, yet it is possible for the light of a lamp to be covered and obscured.

Our LORD Jesus pointed out no one lights a lamp to hide the light but to provide light for all who are in the house.  By the light of a candle on a stand people could read and write, mend clothes, work with wood, find misplaced items, carefully navigate stairs and avoid stumbling over furniture.  It makes absolutely no sense to light a candle and try to hide it under a basket.  Because Jesus is the Light of the World, Christians are redeemed to be the light of the world.  He has set us alight by the power of the Holy Spirit, and by our good works we can glorify our Father in heaven.

When I read this passage today, it came to mind people in a household did not light a lamp or candle to stare at the flame:  they positioned the flame to use the light it produced.  Once the wick was lit, the lamp or candle itself was put up high so it would give light for everyone in the room.  This is good for us to remember.  We do a disservice to God by our pride when we seek the attention of others in the hope for praise, compliments or recognition for our service.  A candle or lamp cannot do a thing unless it is lit by the owner, and we are incapable of serving the LORD until He fills us with the Holy Spirit.  Our good works are not intended to draw attention to us, for our labours for Christ's sake ought to be entirely credited to God who does them through us.

Candles melt down into a puddle of wax and wicks of lamps burn to ash, yet Jesus forever remains the Light of the World who drives darkness away.  Praise God He chooses to make Christians His instruments to shine the light of His glory everywhere so people might find rest, refuge, salvation and eternal life in Him.