The Light of the World

Lights and lamps are rich Scriptural symbols used to describe Jesus, churches, families, and individual believers as the ‘light of the world’. Jesus said to His disciples, ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden’. Matt 5:14. He then continued to explain that every lamp needs to be mounted on a lampstand for it to be effective in shedding light. We’ll surmise that our individual lights cannot give ‘light to all who are in the house’ or ‘light to the world’ without a lampstand. Jesus described a lamp not mounted on a lampstand as being hidden ‘under a basket’. Matt 5:14-16.

In the Old Testament, the lampstand was a very significant piece of furniture. It was an integral part of Moses’ tabernacle in the wilderness and later in the temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. It was beaten from one piece of gold, including a base and seven branches to support seven lamps. Its purpose was to give light to those who ministered before the Lord. The symbol of the lampstand describes church administration that supports and enables every individual lamp to shine before men. The lampstand itself does not give light. It is only when the church program facilitates the ministry of individual members that light will shine forth.

In the book of James, God is called the Father of lights. He gives gifts and individual expression to men and women so we can shine as lights. James 1:17. Accordingly, Paul told the church at Philippi that they will appear as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Phil 2:15. This does not mean that every person has the right to demand opportunity or commandeer church resources according to what they believe their light to be. Everything has to be done decently and in order, as Paul explained to the Corinthians. 1 Cor 14:40. Our lights will shine within a particular sphere and according to a limit. Also, we must remember that light does not reveal itself. The goal is to bring light to the whole household not just glory to an individual.

The prophet Ezekiel described the glory of the Lord as a rainbow on a cloudy day. Ezek 1:28. We know a rainbow has seven colours. Seven is the number of completion in the Bible. The one pure light is refracted into the fullness of individual light, which is a beautiful analogy of the body of Christ. The glory of God is expressed in a diversity of lights with variegated colours and shades. As such, the individual expression of each light is wonderfully unique. Every one of us has been given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Eph 4:7. It is the role of church leadership to help facilitate each person’s gift so that light is brought to the whole house, the church. And further to this, light is shed abroad in the whole world.

Sue Falk

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Feature Articles
April 2008

Nothing is Impossible

The Calves of our Lips

Blind Guides

The Light of the World

Found Worthy

Seven Kingdoms

Christian Business