Vessels of Light

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14-15,
“’You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.’”

How can we, mere humans, be the light of the world? Isn’t Jesus the light of the world as we are told in
John 8:12 ?? Yes, Jesus IS the light of the world. And WE are the vessels for that light to shine through.

II Corinthians 4:7 tells us:
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

So how do we allow God’s power to work in us and become effective vessels of Jesus’ light?

Philippians 2:12-16 tells us to:
“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life;”

Notice what this passage said:
• Show the results of your salvation
• Obey God with deep reverence
• Do everything without complaining or arguing
• Live clean, innocent lives
• Hold firmly to the word of life

And this passage also tells us that God has us covered where we fall short.
• He is working in you
• God is giving you the desire and power to do what pleases him

Just as it said in II Corinthians: our power is from God in these fragile clay jars. We cannot shine a light without our power source. To be effective vessels, we must remain plugged into that power source by spending time daily with God in prayer, reading His word and seeking to live a life that reflects Christ, putting away sins and darkness.

Finally, to be fully effective vessels of Jesus’ light, we must shine his light to others. We are to put our light on a stand and give light to everyone. Otherwise, what good is a light that is hidden or muffled?

Just as Matthew 5:16 tells us
“let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

What an honor it is to be “chosen vessels” to shine the light of Jesus and to glorify God! What an honor it is to be the “light of the world”, to be representatives of Christ as we await His glorious return!