“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
But we are reluctant. If no one conceals a lamp why do we conceal the light of Jesus?
In his light our own faults are illuminated. In calling people to the kingdom we can't hide the fact that we ourselves do not measure up. We shy away, embarrassed. But this is all going to be out in the open eventually. The fact that there are broken people within the kingdom doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the kingdom itself. It means the LORD is rich in mercy! So let's stop the pride. We can't wait to be perfect to proclaim the kingdom. Let's make our peace with these eventualities and let our light shine!
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
The psalmist tells us that the just one shall live on God's holy mountain. It is the Lord's light that makes us just. We are embarrassed when his light shines on our darkness. But it is only this light can cast out our darkness. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it (cf. Joh. 1:5).
We hear admonitions like...
Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim
when it is in your power to do it for him.
Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once.
...and we run from the light rather than celebrating it. We still envy the lawless man because he seems to be secure and smug in his lawlessness. He seems untroubled in a way which is very appealing. How can we celebrate and take genuine joy in a light which calls all of us to account?
When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern,
but to the humble he shows kindness.
We humble ourselves before him. We acknowledge our complete dependence on him. If we rely on his light we will find that he always has more to give us. If we are proud and trust in ourselves we will find what little we have taken away.
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