Jesus was very specific. He spoke in the imperative: “Let your light shine.”
And yet we might wonder: What is that light? And how do we make it shine?
Again, Jesus’ language comes through plainly. He declared, “I am the light of the world.” Then as part of His public ministry, Jesus prophesied over us, “You are the light of the world.”
God is light; thus Jesus is light, and “as He is, so are we,” the apostle John wrote in his first epistle.
Jesus gives us this remarkable gift – likeness to His own essence – so that we can use it to glorify the kingdom and help Jesus fulfill His mission to seek the lost and share the story of salvation. In foretelling Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice, the prophet Isaiah weaves us into the completion of Christ’s purpose, which continues today.
“After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied,” Isaiah said.
Paul wrote “the fruit of the light is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” Thus by saying, “You are the light of the world,” Jesus spoke those seeds into each of us so they would take root in our souls and blossom.
The process of becoming illuminated could be explored as both a universal experience and personal story. It’s a matter of faith-sharing and encouraging the community of believers to trust where God is leading and take steps in faithfulness toward His promises.
Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.
Saint Catherine of Siena
When we question our worthiness to walk according to this high calling, self-doubt becomes the basket that dims our light, as Jesus warns. For we know and believe the true light is already shining and is implanted within us, but it often requires a significant stimulus to awaken it and beckon it to arise in such a way that we are assured, not necessarily by our own strength but the graceful sufficiency of allowing Christ to be at work within us.
“The day dawns, and the morning star rises in your hearts,” Peter wrote.
How does that happen to all of us and to each of us?
What are the heat rays that slice through our lenses of faith and render to ashes all that is not from God or leading us to God?
God promised we would walk through fire, but not be burned. Instead, the flames extinguish the former things and refine our spirits for the new beginning God has planned. If what remains is a heart awakened and on fire, then perhaps God sees that we are lights through which He can glorify His Son, and by God’s loving devotion, lives reduced to ashes are transformed into crowns of beauty we present daily to our King of Kings, who forever reigns in righteousness.
Knowing the destiny of the cross that awaited Him, Jesus spoke light into our hearts, which God activated more fully through the gift of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s ascending commission to “go and make disciples of all nations.”
A vision of joy sustained Jesus as He endured the shame and agony of the cross. When we accept with grace and humility that part of what Jesus looked toward was our lives poured out in service, our lights begin to shine.
And hopeful in the work of His harvest, we satisfy His soul.
