Matthew 5:15-16
15 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.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:15-16: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 15: Jesus uses the analogy of a lamp to illustrate the importance of letting our light shine. Just as a lamp is meant to be placed on a stand to illuminate the whole house, we are called to let our light shine before others. This light represents our good deeds and the message of the gospel that we carry within us.
Verse 16: Jesus emphasizes the purpose of letting our light shine before others. It is not for our own glory or recognition, but so that others may see our good deeds and ultimately glorify God. By living out our faith and demonstrating love and kindness to those around us, we point others to the source of our light, which is our Father in heaven.
In these verses, Jesus challenges us to be bold in our faith and to actively demonstrate the love of God to those around us. Just as a lamp cannot fulfill its purpose if hidden under a bowl, we cannot fulfill our purpose as followers of Christ if we keep our faith to ourselves. Let us be bold in shining our light before others, so that they may see our good deeds and ultimately give glory to God.