Imagine you were one of the women followers of Jesus during his three-year ministry on earth. What would it be like as you heard his teachings, walked by his side, and watched his ministry?
Dear sister,
Today I am pondering the words of Jesus that I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world. I have never heard words like this. This is what he said to us: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Do we as followers of Yahweh see ourselves as the salt of the earth and the light of the world? Do we feel responsible to tell others about our Heavenly Father? Or do we quietly study God’s commands in our homes and our Temples, but then keep this knowledge to ourselves? Are we living in a way that others cannot even tell that we live in accordance with God’s will? Or do we represent God’s love and kindness through the actions and words we share with others? Have we lost our saltiness? Are we hiding our light under a bowl?
I love how Jesus says that when we put our light on a stand that it gives light to everyone around us. When we do good deeds to help others, they in turn will often praise our Father in heaven. Our history shows that when our people are obedient to God and do not hide their faith and good deeds, the Lord mercifully moves to change the hearts of the Gentile leaders to honor our God and bless our people. Think of Joseph and the high position he was given to rule the land of Egypt. Daniel was loved by King Darius the Mede and the king issued a decree that “in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He endures forever.” Queen Esther’s kindness and boldness won over the King of Persia to protect our people from a law that would have brought death to all of us. Now Jesus has come and asks us to show the world God’s love by proclamation and demonstration. He is not telling us that it is enough that He is the light of the world who is healing the sick and setting the captives free. But rather, we also are to be lights in this world. Jesus says that as we let our light shine and share good deeds with others, they will praise our Father in heaven.
Sister, please share all that I am telling you about the teachings of Jesus with others around you. Then live in the godly way he is teaching us by caring for the needy and oppressed. Let your light shine. I have so much more to tell you. The next chance I get, I will share the many lessons he is teaching us about how to love others.
Letting my light shine,
your Big Sister
Today’s Bible Reading: Matthew 5:13-16, Daniel 6
Today’s Application:
Tell at least one person each day this week about the lessons you are learning from God.
Ask God to make you aware of those in need around you and how you can display acts of kindness to them. Let your light shine!
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