COMMAND 6: “Let your light shine…”
REFERENCE: Mt 5:16
RECIPIENT: To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain
Mat 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount: Mt 5:14-15 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does {anyone} light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
COMMAND FULL TEXT: See RESULT
RESULT:
Mt 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
After Jesus concluded the sermon, two chapters later:
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.
COMMENT: Contrast Mt 5:16 with the following instructions that command us to do our good works in secret. The following verses are complementary rather than contradictory to the command “Let you light shine before men…” In each case below Jesus pointed out that the attitude for doing good for others must not be for self aggrandizement or showy self righteousness because these attitudes and actions have short lived rewards. Long lasting rewards come from doing what is right with humbleness and strength of character that is satisfied by the meeting of needs and integrity that are practiced even when no one is looking.
Mt 6:1-4 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3“But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”
Mt 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”
Mt 6:17-18 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”
DEFINITIONS: Key Greek Words
light: G5457 φῶς foce — literally or figuratively luminous
shine: G2989 λάμπω lam’-pō — to beam
GENERAL APPLICATION: Hard work done with integrity and honesty is difficult to hide. Whether on the job, in the family or volunteering, someone will know who did what. The goal is to humbly conduct oneself in such a way that when people notice what was done, they are more grateful for the result and give thanks to God or to those whom you represent than to you personally.
I think this command is the origin of so many anonymous gifts to charity. When I worked for the US Government there would always be a big celebration at the end of the United Way campaign where folks who gave large donations (usually leaders of the organization) would be honored. I always thought this part of the event seemed somewhat odd. On the one hand people can be encouraged to give if leaders are giving. But on the other hand there is this command about keeping your giving secret. What do you think, does this command suggest you never publicly divulge gifts to charity?
Anonymous giving is a gift to the giver. It’s an exercise in true humility & it honors the Lord. God sees, & often others do too.
My 1st patient as a Hospice volunteer could not speak, was confined to her hospital bed, could not do anything for herself. Her husband cared for her for 2 1/2 years. They both loved the Lord. The playing out of “ in sickness & in health,” played out before my eyes.
That husband loved & cared for her with great love & humility. Although this lady could not communicate with words, her eyes smiled whenever he looked at her.
His love & light shown brightly for his wife, for the Lord & for everyone who came into their home…
I think that’s what Jesus meant. It was secret & yet it shined!
Thanks for sharing, Linda. It’s taken a while for me to reply because I simply didn’t know what to say. The stark contrast of the tragedy of the woman ‘s illness and the beauty of the couple’s love and commitment to each other says more than I can. What a great example!