Let Your Light Shine Matthew 5:16

Matthew shared how Jesus was “baptized” and “tempted” by the “devil”, and he shared how “angels” ministered to Him afterward. Jesus heard that John the Baptist was thrown into prison, and He left His hometown to dwell in “Capernaum” where He began His ministry. Jesus began to preach saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be His followers. Matthew continued to share how Jesus' fame spread throughout Galilee, and many others were gathered unto Him. He wrote about Jesus sharing the “beatitudes” and how those who believe in Him will be “persecuted for righteousness sake” as well as being “blessed” by God for enduring. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is therefore good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house”, and in chapter five and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus shared about, “a candle … under a bushel” where we read:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The verse reads, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, ...” Matthew began with the word, “let” which means “allow and permit” “your light shine” which means “the disciples' brightness and understanding of spiritual truth radiate” “before men” or “in front of and in the presence of people both male and female”, “that they” which means “so other people” “may see” or “will perceive, notice, discern and discover” “your good works” which refers to “disciples of Jesus' precious, noble, praiseworthy and honorable business, employment, deeds, acts and things done by hand, art, industry or mind”. Jesus encouraged His disciples to allow their “light” or “brilliant understanding of spiritual truth” and “valuable acts” to “radiate” before other people.

The verse goes on to say, “... and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew continued with the words, “and glorify” which means “to make glorious, adorn with luster, clothe with splendor, make renown and excellent” “your father“ or “the disciple's progenitor and Creator” “which is in heaven” which means “who is in the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Jesus told His disciples they should do their “good works” in a manner that allowed God to receive all the “glory” from them.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see the manner in which the disciple of Jesus is to go about their daily lives. Every thought and act should be manifested in such a way that others easily see them and give “glory” to God. The natural way of man is to receive the “glory, praise, adoration and credit” for themselves, and in the “Kingdom of Heaven” all “glory” goes to God. God desires a relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and those who put their faith and trust in Him realize in themselves they are nothing, but in God they are valuable. May all who read these words join in the phrase, “to God be the glory, Great things He has done”.

Next time Jesus shares how He did not, “come to destroy the law”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.