Light on the LampStand…

God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all.¹ While creating the universe, God said, let there be light, and there was light². Thus, God created light to bring order and structure to the world. Like the light in the form of a pillar of fire guiding the Israelites in the desert³, God is guiding His children/us.

Jesus, the light of the world:As humankind later went into darkness, God Himself sent His Son, Jesus. -who is the light of the world, whoever follows Jesus will never walk in darkness⁴, but will have the light of life.

• Have you ever found yourself walking in darkness?
• unsure of which direction to take?
• feeling lost and overwhelmed by the weight of life’s challenges?
• It’s a feeling many of us can relate to—times when hope seems distant, and the path ahead appears uncertain.
• But in those very moments, there is a light that shines brighter than any darkness, offering us a way forward.
• That light is Jesus. His presence in our lives is a guiding force, bringing us peace, hope, and salvation.

Following Jesus, the True Light: How do you follow Jesus? Just as God’s word is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path⁵, Jesus, the true light that gives light to everyone⁶, has come into this world to save us. ⁷ We follow him by acting according to his Word.

The Light Shines on Us: We who were living in the land of the shadow of death have seen this light dawn⁸.This light is not only for the glory of Israel but also a light for revelation to the Gentiles, like us⁹. 

• In the darkest seasons, when all seems lost, the light of Christ pierces through the shadows,
• illuminating our path with purpose, love, and clarity.
• Jesus, the true light of the world, is more than just a beacon in the distance
• He is the very light that dwells within us, leading us step by step into a future filled with meaning and grace.

Jesus Came to End Darkness: As Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness¹⁰.” We, who have believed and accepted Him as our Lord, have become His followers and have become the lights of the world¹¹, representing His righteousness and goodness through our actions.

Living as Children of Light: In the past, based on our actions, we were in darkness, but now we are the light in the Lord, and we live as children of light^{. 11} The Lord is our light and our salvation—whom shall we fear? The Lord is the stronghold of our lives—of whom shall we be afraid? ¹³

• So, the question is: Will you allow His light to shine in you today?
• Will you reflect His love and grace to a world that so desperately needs it?
• As you journey through this passage, consider how the light of Christ has touched your own life, and how you can be that light to others.
• Let His love guides you, transform you, and illuminate the world around you.

Shining Brightly in Christ: The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter until the full light of day. ¹⁴ We, being His children, should examine what is pleasing to God¹⁵, walk in the light, and let our light shine before others through our deeds and actions. ¹⁶

Living Out Our Faith: As Christians, Christ teaches us that people should see our good works and actions¹⁷ and give glory to God, but not the other way around, as is often seen in today’s world. 

The Enduring Light of Goodness: Hence, a work of goodness and love lasts forever, but a work of selfishness and wickedness will perish¹⁸, because ultimately it is each person’s work that is tested¹⁹. Only the work that lasts and shines will be rewarded.

The Church: The Lampstand of the World -The Church is the lampstand²⁰ and as the Church, we are called to be His lampstands in the world. Just as the Tabernacle lampstand menorah was made of pure gold of 30.3 kgs²¹, reflecting its great value, we, as the Church, are precious in God’s sight. ²² speaks of Jesus, the “rising Sun,” shining on those living in darkness, guiding us to peace. In the same way, we are meant to reflect His light to a world trapped in sin and darkness.

we, the people who comprise the Church, are the light. God has put us here to give light to the world, so let us be the light from the lampstand and shine His light brightly, not by words but by our deeds and actions²³. As His people, we are the light of the world, meant to guide others from darkness into His marvellous light.

Filled with the Spirit, Shining His Light: Like the lampstand in the Tabernacle, which was filled twice daily with pure almond oil ²⁴ (which was considered the first fruit of Israel), so our Lord Jesus, the firstfruits of the resurrection²⁵, fills us with His Spirit. By His power, He illuminates our lives, enabling us to shine as lights in the world, reflecting His glory and truth²⁶. 

Amen.

References / Bibliography:

1. Genesis 1:3 – “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
2. Exodus 13:21-22 – “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” 
3. 1 John 1:5 – “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 
4. 1. John 8:12 – “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” 
   1. John 12:46 – “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
5. Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” 
6. John 1:9 – “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” 
7. Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
8. Matthew 4:16 – “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” 
9. Luke 2:32 – “A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
10. John 12:46 – “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” 
11. Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
12. Ephesians 5:8 – “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” 
13. Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
14. Proverbs 4:18 – “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” 
15. Ephesians 5:10 – “Find out what pleases the Lord.” 
16. Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
17. Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
18. 1 Corinthians 13:8 – “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”
19. 1 Corinthians 3:13 – “Their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.” 
20. Revelation 1:20 – “The seven lampstands are the seven churches, and the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” 
21. Exodus 25:31-40-
22. Luke 1:78-79 -“Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
23. Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
24. Exodus 27:20-21 – “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.” 
25. 1 Corinthians 15:20 – “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 
26. John 8:12 – “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”