The Sermon on the Mount, Section 42 C, Light
Section 42
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
(A Mountain Plateau not far from Capernaum)
Subdivision C
INFLUENCE AND DUTIES OF MESSIAH'S SUBJECTS
MATT. 5:14-16, light
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel , but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.-Matthew 5:15
The Fourfold Gospel explains that a candle was "a common measure, found in every Jewish house, and containing about a peck. Lamps were then crude affairs without chimneys, in which, for the most part, olive oil was burned. Candles were not then known. The word candle, where used in the King James version, is a mistranslation."
The Message translation (not a favorite of mine, but refreshing at times) brings a contemporary sense to the light imagery:
Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:16
Yikes---this commentary leaves me feeling much more vulnerable and exposed than I'd like:
"The true disciple’s position and calling. His position is like that of a city set on a hill, eminently conspicuous; he “cannot be hid,” and he ought not to try to be hid. His calling is from the elevated position he occupies, to shed light upon the whole world."-BI
"Not only the honour but the progress of religion depend upon your examples. The greatest praise we can bestow upon a religion is to practice it." S. Partridge
"Candles are not lit to be looked at, but that something else may be seen by them. Men may see God through our works." A. Maclaren
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
(A Mountain Plateau not far from Capernaum)
Subdivision C
INFLUENCE AND DUTIES OF MESSIAH'S SUBJECTS
MATT. 5:14-16, light
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel , but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.-Matthew 5:15
The Fourfold Gospel explains that a candle was "a common measure, found in every Jewish house, and containing about a peck. Lamps were then crude affairs without chimneys, in which, for the most part, olive oil was burned. Candles were not then known. The word candle, where used in the King James version, is a mistranslation."
The Message translation (not a favorite of mine, but refreshing at times) brings a contemporary sense to the light imagery:
Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:16
Yikes---this commentary leaves me feeling much more vulnerable and exposed than I'd like:
"The true disciple’s position and calling. His position is like that of a city set on a hill, eminently conspicuous; he “cannot be hid,” and he ought not to try to be hid. His calling is from the elevated position he occupies, to shed light upon the whole world."-BI
"Not only the honour but the progress of religion depend upon your examples. The greatest praise we can bestow upon a religion is to practice it." S. Partridge
"Candles are not lit to be looked at, but that something else may be seen by them. Men may see God through our works." A. Maclaren
"The purpose of letting our light shine is, that God, not ourselves, may be glorified. In looking at a painted window, we think more of the artist and his picture than of the light. And there are many who put such devices on the window, through which the light of their characters shines, that no beholder is ever moved to think of God. The best style in writing is that which gives the thought with such transparency that the reader sees nothing else; and that is the noblest Christian character which shows the most of Christ. It matters not though we be unseen, if but the light be clear; for then we are fulfilling the command. -W. M. Taylor.
Wanted, much wanted, bright Christians!
The figure of the house-lamp suggests domestic Christianity; that of the conspicuous city the more public and collective duty of Christians. -D. Fraser
A good man or woman reveals the ugliness of evil by showing the beauty of holiness. -A. Maclaren
"Observe that when our Lord specifies "good works" he does not exclude good words. Often it is a good work to speak the word wanted. And though it is often one of the most difficult of duties, it is certain that we are guilty if we neglect this mode of confessing Christ before men. To be backward in this is a sign that our own light is burning low."—D., Pulpit Commentary
My thoughts:
I love the community and call to usefulness in this verse. The thought of being on a stand feels conspicuous, but only if I am not allowing God to shine through, making too much of myself. Taylor's window analogy is fitting; we are to be a clear lens that others "look through," and not the focus. It brings to mind different worship leaders I've experienced through the years. Some distract with their affectations or musical choices. Others allow me to worship God, getting out of the way somehow. It seems to me that it's more the spirit of that person which makes it so, though the outward is an expression of that.
The call to be a Christian is ennobling but also unnerving.
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