Light of the World – Word for the Soul

A City on a Hill

September 16, 2024September 14, 2024 Loring Schultz

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 ESV

John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, coined the phrase ‘A City on a Hill’ while aboard the flagship Arabella upon arriving on the shores of present-day New England. An English Puritan lawyer, Winthrop was in pursuit of religious freedom along with many others in early 17^th century England. His encouraging words to his shipmates set the tone for the work ahead of them lasting for centuries to come, “We must always consider that we shall be as a ‘city upon a hill’—the eyes of all people are upon us.” His sentiments have been repeated countless times throughout the years in the United States of America as a mode of encouragement most famously used by both President John F. Kennedy and President Ronald Reagan.

Jesus told His disciples they were the light of the world and a city on a hill. The landscape of America includes several cities that are elevated on mountainous terrain visible for all to see. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither can anyone who has accepted Christ as Savior be hidden from the world. Jesus’s words to His disciples apply to every Christian today. Christians are the light of the world and cities on a hill that can be seen by all. With such great amount of exposure, are we taking advantage of our opportunity to represent Christ, or are we allowing the clouds and fog of indifference to settle in?

People today are looking for light in a dark world. Christians possess the light of Christ and are placed on a hill of God’s choosing to bring the light of the gospel to others and to bring glory to God. Jesus said, “…..let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt. 5:16b esv)

The Puritan settlers knew that future generations would look to them as a city on a hill. Christians today need to follow their example and live up to John Winthrop’s words, “We must always consider that we shall be as a ‘city upon a hill’—the eyes of all people are upon us.” For all eyes are upon us, the city on a hill.

I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD: Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements – 2

June 9, 2024June 5, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 ESV

Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash

Have you ever been kept in the dark about something, totally unaware of certain situations until they came to light? Once they were revealed to you, the darkness that clouded your thinking was removed and you began to see the situation clearly.

Spiritual darkness works much the same way. The world is blinded by Satan and kept in the dark of Jesus’ message of Salvation. The Bible tells us that “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor.11:14 esv) In this deception, Satan tries to convince us that all is well. He appears in many of the false religions of the world and even influences the false prophets portraying themselves as Christian ministers. The last thing Satan wants is for people to come to know the truth about Jesus, and to know of His Salvation plan. His plan is to keep them in the dark, claiming himself to be light.

Jesus’s second “I am” statement in the gospel of John is “I am the light of the world.” Jesus proclaims those who follow Him will not walk in darkness, confirming there is darkness in the world, spiritual darkness. The apostle John begins his gospel with identifying Jesus as God who made all things and “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn. 1:4-5 esv) Becoming aware that Jesus is the light and accepting Him as Savoir instantly dispels the darkness in your life. The dark cloud in your life will be lifted by Jesus, God the Son, the light of the world. May you allow His light this Sunday to penetrate the darkness of your soul and see the situation clearly, Jesus’ love for you.

Devotionals

There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel

March 22, 2024March 21, 2024 Loring Schultz

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” 1 Peter 1:6 NLT

Life has its many trials. There are many dark roads we travel on and not by choice. It is often said and is true that the longer you live the more dark roads you will travel, the more trials will come upon you, but you will have many opportunities to test your faith in the Lord, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The apostle Peter tells us, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.” (1 Pt. 1:7a nlt)

The Christian’s faith in Jesus leads to salvation. “The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pt. 1:9nlt) But we live in this interim period after our acceptance of Christ for salvation and the full fulfillment of that decision where we are still in a fallen world filled with trials and temptations. Jesus Himself says to us, “…. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33b nlt) Jesus is assuring us that our faith in Him is not in vain. Although we have trials and sorrows in this world, Jesus our savior has overcome the world. We can trust Him to see us through the trials and come out with our faith strong in the Lord Jesus bringing much praise to the glory of God.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” (1 Pt. 1:6nlt) The Lord comforts us during our dark days here on earth by reminding us of His power of overcoming the darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. And for those who have accepted Him as their savior, He is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9 NLT – The Hope of Eternal Life – All praise – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Recognizing the Messiah; the Light of the World

October 20, 2023October 19, 2023 Loring Schultz

“The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’” Matthew 20:31 NIV

Our world is currently going through dark times, in fact we could say it seems that total darkness cannot be far away. Darkness in the world has troubled humankind since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Although I must admit darkness has been progressing deeper into our society blinding any light trying to dispel it. The apostle Paul addressed this in his letter to the church at Ephesus by saying, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12) Also in writing to Timothy he said, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Tim. 3:1) Our world is certainly a dark place and growing darker.

But rest assured for all is not lost for the believer in Christ. Even in the darkness of our world, Christians can live in the light of Jesus Christ, and in the light of His Word. John writing about Jesus said, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it….The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” (Jn. 1:5, 9) Jesus is the true and only light in the world.

The world is in darkness due to all of mankind being in darkness, spiritual darkness. We are in spiritual darkness due to our sin nature and nothing will eradicate the darkness except the light of Christ in our lives. All of us are in need of confessing our sin and accepting Jesus Christ, the light of the world, as our savior.

The gospel of Matthew tells the story of two blind men who were aware that Jesus was soon to pass their way. They were also aware that He was the true Messiah, God the Son, who was able to cure their blindness. As they sat by the roadside, they shouted out to Jesus, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us.’ By referring to Jesus as the Son of David, they were confirming their belief that He was the true Jewish Messiah who was to come. They had need of physical healing of blindness and asked to receive their sight, knowing that He who heal spiritual blindness is able to heal physical blindness. They believed in Jesus’s divine power.

Have you recognized the true Messiah, the true and only light of the world, Jesus Christ? The two blind men above recognized Him as the only one who could cure their physical and spiritual blindness. Scripture says, “Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” (Mt. 20:34) We are living in a dark world, but we do not need to live in a dark spiritual world. Receive the light of the world and gain your spiritual sight and follow Him.

Read Matthew 20:29-34 Two blind men receive sight: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A29-34&version=NIV

Devotionals

A City on a Hill

August 23, 2023August 23, 2023 Loring Schultz

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 ESV

John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, coined the phrase ‘A City on a Hill’ while aboard the flagship Arabella upon arriving on the shores of present day New England. An English Puritan lawyer, Winthrop was in pursuit of religious freedom along with many others in early 17^th century England. His encouraging words to his shipmates set the tone for the work ahead of them lasting for centuries to come, “We must always consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill—the eyes of all people are upon us.” His sentiments have been repeated countless times throughout the years in the United States of America as a mode of encouragement most famously used by both President John F. Kennedy and President Ronald Reagan.

The Puritan settlers knew that future generations would look to them as a city on a hill. Christians today need to follow their example and live up to John Winthrop’s words, “We must always consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill—the eyes of all people are upon us.” For all eyes are upon us, the city on a hill.