Hold Up the Lamp

Today’s Scripture Threshing for Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Today’s Text: Matthew 5:13-16

Key Verse: Matthew 5:15 (ASV): “Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.”

Felix Adler (1851 – 1933), a great and highly respected religious leader, a German-born American, was renowned in his generation for calling on Christian to rather truly be who they truly claim they are. While most men of his age wanted to be a hero, his opinion is that a better way to be a hero is to be a saint. He said, "The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for people to see by! But the saint is the person who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself or herself, being the light!"

To teach this amazing truth, our Lord drew from two objects that are very familiar to all his hearers — the lamp and the bushel. We all know the importance of light. Not only do we need light to see, but we need it to exist. The bushel on a similar note is something that we can’t escape. Wether during a simple household cooking or an easy marketplace deal, we like to pay close attention to bushels. They measures and weighs; and we would not be cheated.

So, look at it this way, to see that your measure was fair, you need to raise your lamp. It must be before you. If you place the lamp below your bushel; not only would you cast the shadow on your sight but you stand the risk of a burnt deal. Jesus wants us to realize why it’s important to hold ourselves up as light to a shoddy dealing world—a world of unjust balance, shadows and uncertainty. Except we’d hold up the lamp, which we are; we’d cast further shadow and cause further pain.

We are redeemed from darkness so that we might become God’s light to the darkened world. Don’t conceal yourself. Live your life in a way it may be of use to people who walk in darkness.

Quote for the Day: “The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for people to see by! But the saint is the person who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself or herself, being the light.” (Felix Adler)

Prayer: Dear LORD, please help me to truly be an example of your veritable light, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

With all my Love and Prayer,

Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),

2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,

Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA

Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org

BBMme: E3F988D2

[Today’s Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]

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