“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called
Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. – Genesis 1:3-5
Just as the Lord spoke light into the universe on the first day of creation; through His Word He is able to create saving faith in the heart of the believer. Jesus, the light of the world shines in the lives of His people thus He can say you are His light.
This light cannot be hidden. What does light do? It eliminates darkness. A candle in total darkness can be seen for thirty miles. The light of a city standing on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise the light of Christ in the life of a believer in Christ cannot be hidden.
Christ is the light coming into the world. In the Nicene Creed we confess concerning Jesus that He is “Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made.” In the Creed, the Church states that Jesus was truly God with the phrases beginning with “Light of Light.” They continued to emphasize the equality of Father and Son with the phrases, “Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father.” In the Creed, “begotten” has a special meaning assigned to it. Jesus is “begotten,” not created. Everything that exists is created by God. Only God Himself, the Trinity, is not created. Jesus existed from all time with the Father and the Holy Spirit. This one holy eternal God brings light to you through faith.
The city cannot be hidden. It is set on the mountain. This is a promise rather than a demand. It is impossible for the Church not to bear witness of Christ. May Christ’s light shine forth in you.
O God, You willed to redeem us from all iniquity by Your Son: Deliver us when we are tempted to regard sin without abhorrence, and let the virtue of his passion come between us and our mortal enemy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [2]
[1] Schnorr
Von Carolsfeld woodcuts ‘The first day of creation’ copyright © WELS permission
granted for personal and congregational use
[2]Collect for Tuesday of Lent 2, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
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