What Did Jesus Mean by “You Are the Light of the World?”
Thinking about Matthew 5:14.
Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
The Lord’s statement emphasizes, “You — and you alone — are the light of the world.”
It is one of those statements which should always have the effect upon us of making us lift up our heads, causing us to realize once more what a remarkable and glorious thing it is to be a Christian. — Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
What Jesus’ Statement Implies
The world is in darkness — and that’s exactly what many people love.
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. (John 3:19–21)
Jesus taught that the world is a dark place, and only His followers are the light. Jesus is the light of the world.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Those who follow Jesus are walking in the light and are the light of the world. Those who refuse to follow Jesus choose to remain in the darkness — they don’t want their deeds exposed to the light.
Being the Light
Just by being Christian he shows a different type of life, and that immediately reveals the true character and nature of the other way of living. In the world, therefore, he is like a light being put on, and immediately people begin to think, and wonder, and feel ashamed. — Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
The way we live matters. By living like Jesus Christ, we live as lights in this world of sin and darkness.
By following Jesus, we show the world there is another way of living life. This world is full of darkness, but we do not have to continue walking on that path.
There is a better way — Jesus, the Light of the world, is that better way (John 14:6).
