Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 15

You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

Bearing Witness to the Light

In today’s reading from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus revisits laws from the Old Testament. He does not revoke these laws; in fact, he explicitly states, “I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (verse 17). Jesus emphasizes the high standard that is God’s law, declaring to us that “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (verse 20).

This seems like clear reason to despair. Of course we are not more righteous than the Pharisees! The Pharisees’ whole goal was to follow the Word of God to the letter, and even beyond, creating ever more stringent specifications to ensure that not even by accident or oversight would even the least of God’s laws be broken. To devote our entire lives to the study of and adherence to God’s law is not enough. That is what Jesus says here.

But what then can we do? That has already been answered! Remember, Jesus has not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Jesus is the fulfillment of all of the fullness of the law. He alone surpasses the Pharisees in righteousness, because he alone lived a perfect life. Now, his righteousness covers us. We are not judged by our own works, but by his.

And Jesus always went above and beyond. Here, he shows us what “beyond” truly means as he describes the Old Testament standard and then the “beyond” that we ought to go. In all of these “beyonds,” the difference is love. Not only shall you not murder, but also do not speak to your brother or sister in anger. Out of love, turn the other cheek. Settle disputes without going to a judge. “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (verse 42). Love not only your friends, but your enemies too. This chapter of Matthew ends with a succinct summary in verse 48: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” that again reminds us that following these commands is not our salvation.

Of course we fall short of the perfection the law demands. But here, Jesus compels us to change our motivation. No longer do we obey in fear and self-righteousness, commending ourselves for our purity, but instead we look for how best to love our neighbor, as Jesus loves us. This, then, is the light that shines—it is God’s love through us. What a way to witness! Live in God’s love, and people will ask questions. They wonder at your joy, your willingness to serve, your humility.

Is it easy to live this way? No! But we ought to hold ourselves to a higher standard. Yes, we are sinner-saints. We will fail and stumble and fall. But in Christ we are renewed, and in baptism we daily drown our sinful Adam. You should live a brilliant life, one that shines so brightly it cannot be discounted.

This does not necessitate grand gestures or bold actions. A life of quiet love and simple faith grants opportunities to witness and to strengthen the faith of fellow Christians. Here in Matthew, Jesus describes a humble life, not a grandiose one—but a life in which each decision serves as an opportunity to love one’s neighbor. As God’s people, we live in light to give witness to the transformative gospel that gives us hope.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for letting us be your light in the world. You call us to share in your work despite our flaws. Grant that we do not hide our faith, but rather always give a reason for the hope that we have. Amen.

Written by Alyssa Ebeling