~Alex Wu
Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:22-23 The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Jesus is the light. We, as His followers, are called not only to walk in the light, but to be a light. Jesus wants our light to be so bright and visible that it resembles a city set on a hill. This reminds me of a trip to Kigali, Rwanda last year. What a beautiful scene to see a city set not just on one hill but on many at night! Now the question is how do we become this light? To many Christians, doing good works: charity works or showing kindness to others is equal to shining our light. However, many non-Christians are doing good works as well. In the end, the recipients only give glory to good people or good Christians, not truly to our Father in heaven. Here, what Jesus meant is: let your light shine before others first, then they may see your good works and give glory to our Father. Now what is our light?
Jesus taught us that there is an eye in us that works like a lamp. Apparently this is the spiritual eye that is able to see God’s plan and God’s light. Jesus called John the Baptist a burning and shining lamp (John 5:35). John, being so critical to others, did little that fits our typical definition of “good works”. But he did one thing that preceded all his works. He proclaimed the prophetic word from Isaiah 40:3 in the wilderness. When our spiritual eyes are open, we start to see God’s word coming alive. When we announce that word, the spiritual realm is shaken and a bright light shines upon people. It is the light that turns people’s hearts to the Father. It is the light that makes knees bow and tongues confess. It is in this light that miracles happen and the mute sing praises to God. In 2024, this gift of “seen-and-announced” is coming to ZAMIE Church. May the Lord open our spiritual eyes to see His word and open our tongues to proclaim His promise. Let us take this path of being a light for His kingdom!
Heavenly Father, thank you for this revelation. I believe that it is not just for me but for our entire church to receive. At this age, you are looking for a vessel to shine your light through. May our church be such a chosen vessel. May our church be a light to people of all nations in Edmonton, in Canada and around the world. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!