Sunday Devotional: Be the light of the world

Posted on February 9, 2020 by Dr. Eowyn

Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”

We are called to be the light of the world.

The ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes, aka Diogenes of Sinope, who died c. 320 BC, literally brought light — the search for truth and honesty — to his world.

Called a familiar figure in Athens by none other than Aristotle, it is said Diogenes would wander around the streets of Athens carrying a lighted lantern in broad daylight in search for just one honest man.

Forced into exile from Sinope with his father, Diogenes adopted a life of asceticism in pursuit of moral excellence, and made it his mission to to expose falsity.The program for life advocated by Diogenes began with self-sufficiency, or the ability to possess within oneself all that one needs for happiness. To self-sufficiency Diogenes added “outspokenness” — an uncompromising zeal for exposing vice and conceit and stirring men to reform.

Diogenes’ followers positioned themselves as watchdogs of morality. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Isaiah 58:8-11
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst
oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.
Then the LORD will guide you always
and satisfy your thirst in parched places,
will give strength to your bones
And you shall be like a watered garden,
like a flowing spring whose waters never fail.

Have the courage of your convictions!

Speak out!

Be a light to the world.

And may the peace and love of Jesus Christ our Lord be with you,

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