Uh-oh...There Go the Lights

Think back to the last time you lost electricity in your home after dark. It was probably due to a big electrical storm or to power company repair work. Regardless of why these circumstances came about, as a result, you were left completely in the pitch-black darkness of night. As you stumbled around trying to find your way, your hands groped for something that would bring some light into the room and let you see better. Then your hands find that flashlight that you keep around for occasions such as this. Now you are not lost in your own home and will be able to see fairly well even with the power out...as long your flashlight's batteries aren't dead!

Read Matthew 5:14-16; focus in on verse 16.
1) What is the purpose of a light? Is that true when it comes to the Christian life?
2) In John 8:12, Jesus calls Himself the Light of the World. In light of today's passage, what kind of responsibility does that give us?
3) Who is ultimately praised for good works done?
4) What kind of light is being shone on the Lord from your witness?

The kind of light that Jesus referred to in this Scripture from the Sermon on the Mount can be closely compared with a flashlight. Once you pick up a flashlight and turn the light on, you no longer care about looking at the flashlight itself. Now your gaze is fixed on whatever the light is shining on. The purpose of the light is worthless if your attention is only on the source and not on what the light illuminates. In the same way, Jesus is saying that the purpose of our "light" as witnesses for Him is so that the Father in Heaven may be glorified. Sure, He says that they will see our good works, but we shouldn't get any credit for it; all of that will go directly to God. If our lives are to be characterized by the type of "light" that Jesus speaks of here, then our only goal through the things we do is to bring honor, glory and attention to the One who created us. We are to be that light pointing the way to the Lord.