Daily Writing

Thursday, 21 November 2024

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Thus, radiate it – your light – before men, that they may see your good works, and they may glorify your Father in the heavens” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus spoke to the disciples about placing a lamp on a lampstand rather than placing it under a modius.  Now, He explains this to them, saying, “Thus, radiate it – your light – before men.”

In the same manner as a person takes the lamps and places it in a position where it will be most effective, so should the disciple place his lamp so that his light will be seen by all. A great example of following this precept is Paul. He first went to the synagogues in each city he visited. However, eventually, they usually rejected his word.

When this happened, he would move on to where the light was most useful, leaving his own Jewish brothers to wallow in their own darkness –

“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. ⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:
“I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.”’” Acts 13:44-47

This was consistently the case with Paul, going where he could shine forth the light of Christ. This is in accord with Jesus’ next words, “that they may see your good works.”

Whatever one does in faith is a work that has value. Paul followed through with this, faithfully living out his commission despite enormous difficulties that arose almost everywhere he went. This is true with many who have followed since. They have been lights in a darkened world, letting all see that Jesus is worth the sacrifice.

Ultimately, the goal finds its end purpose, as Jesus next notes, “and they may glorify your Father in the heavens.”

What was the result of Paul’s going to the Gentiles? The narrative in Acts continues with these words –

“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”

The word of the Lord is the word of God. And the word of God is a reflection of who God is. In glorifying in the word of the Lord, they were glorifying the One true God who gave that word to men. This is to be our chief aim and goal in life, that we glorify God through a proper presentation of the gospel. Let us be about this sacred business.

Life application: We are in a temporary world filled with temporary things. None of this is going to last. Our bodies will die and return to corruption unless the Lord comes first. Our homes would fall apart in mere years without regular upkeep. Our cars… how many have we gone through in our lives?

Having a fancy dinner or a quiet one at home… either feeds us, and it will be used up and eliminated in no time. All things are temporary except what we do with our service in furthering the gospel and bringing glory to God.

What are your priorities? Don’t follow after the fashions and desires of the world. Instead, look ahead to the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus! Be about that and you will be about what is most important.

Glorious and almighty God, may we spend our days wisely, pursuing You and bringing honor and glory to You. May this be our greatest desire and passion all our days. Yes, Lord, may it be so to Your glory. Amen.

Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:15

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Nor do they ignite a lamp and place it under the modius but upon the lampstand. And it radiates all those in the house” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus told the disciples that they were the light of the world and that a city atop a hill cannot be hidden. Now, He continues with, “Nor do they ignite a lamp.”

The word translated as lamp, luchnos, signifies an oil-fed lamp. Some older versions say “candle,” which is a faulty translation. Candles were not used at this time. Various oils could be used to light such a lamp, but in Israel olive oil is a common and readily obtained source. With such a lamp, nobody would light it “and place it under the modius.”

This is a transliteration of the word modios, a Latin word signifying a certain measure for dry things. Of the modius, a Google search says –

“The modius was a unit of measurement used in ancient Rome to measure dry or solid commodities, such as grain, and sometimes liquids. It was roughly equivalent to a peck, or about 8.73 liters. In the first century AD, adult male citizens were given five modii of grain per month, while slaves were given four. The modius was also used to measure land, but the exact amount of land represented by a modius is uncertain.”

Further, a modius was also a circular headdress that resembled the measure of grain, and figures wearing it are found in ancient depictions. Next, Jesus continues with, “but upon the lampstand.”

The word translated as lampstand is luchnia. Lampstand is a direct translation. It will be seen four times in the gospels, once in Hebrews, and seven times in Revelation 1 & 2. The lampstand would be an elevated stand of some sort where the lamp would be placed, thus providing maximum illumination, which is seen in the final words of the verse, “And it radiates all those in the house.”

This would be the point of lighting a lamp in the first place. It would make no sense to place a lamp under something, hiding its light. Rather, it is lit to reveal the area in which it is placed, even to the darker recesses.

As this is so, Jesus will explain the metaphor to His disciples next, but the meaning should be easily understood already.

Life application: Jesus’ words bring things down to the basic, common-sense level for people to both understand His intent and to also remember what He is instructing as they go through everyday life. A lamp of some sort is something pretty much everyone uses. The way it is used is almost universally understood as well.

When one of the disciples was having a bad day, not getting anyone to listen to his message, he might come in tired and frustrated and think, “I am getting nowhere.” However, when he went in and lit a lamp for the evening, he might then think, “My job is to illuminate. That is why I have been sent.”

It is a simple reminder that his job is doing what he had been doing all day. The results of his efforts did make a difference, even if he did not perceive it. Jesus tells us what to do. The epistles further define the words of Jesus, at times clarifying the difference between pre- and post-resurrection instruction. But the point is, we have the manual set before us.

What we need to do is apply it to our lives and not think of great things for ourselves. If we are doing our jobs, that is sufficient. Obedience to the word with minimal results is far better than not rightly applying the word and having great “success” by the world’s standards.

How wonderful it is, O God, to be right with You, doing our jobs as You have instructed. Even if we don’t have popularity or fame at this time, obedience to Your word is far better than many riches. Help us have this attitude and serve You, and our hearts will be faithfully set on You. Amen.

Tuesday, 19 November 2024

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“You, you are the world’s light. A city, not it is able to conceal lying atop a hill” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that His disciples were the salt of the earth. Now, He makes another comparison, saying, “You, you are the world’s light.”

Elsewhere in the New Testament, Jesus states that He is the light, such as in John 9:5 –

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John says the same thing about Jesus on several occasions in his gospel and epistles. There is no contradiction here. To share the good news of Jesus is to share His light. Upon His departure, those who share it are said to be lights by Paul –

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14, 15

Paul says this elsewhere as well. In Ephesians 5, he specifically says the reason for using this metaphor –

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:8-11

The world is filled with sin. This can be equated to darkness. It casts a spiritual pall over the people of the world. Only in coming to Christ will this change. However, it should be obvious that this is not some type of impartation of light that suddenly changes a person to become a useful light.

One must know what their conversion meant and how to convey that to others. That can only come by knowing the word which gives instruction on such matters. Those following Jesus didn’t suddenly get injected with this light. Rather, that is why they are called disciples. They followed Him, learned from Him, and were corrected by Him.

The charismatic approach to theology is simply not found in Scripture. Hard work is necessary to be a Spirit-filled light in the world. Understanding this, Jesus continues, saying, “A city, not it is able to conceal lying atop a hill.”

The word epanó, atop, is used. It extends beyond the word “on” usually used here. It is derived from epi, on or upon, and anó, up, above, up to the top, etc. The city sits atop the hill, in the most prominent position. Other than a cloudy day, it is not possible for such a city to be hidden. It sits openly for all to see.

Likewise, if one is outspoken in his ministry of conveying Jesus, it cannot be hidden. The light that is effective is one that has sufficient fuel and oxygen to shine brightly. Jesus is telling us, quite clearly, that to be effective in our lives as Christians, we are to be properly discipled in the word, outspoken in our proclamation, and unashamed of conveying the good news to others.

Life application: The words of Jesus here are a clear and unambiguous declaration that to be effective in one’s life as a useful Christian, a person will be properly discipled. Even the disciples that followed Jesus were not like this for much of their time with Him. For example –

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” John 6:66

These people were not willing to stick it out and do the hard work of discovering what Jesus meant. Instead, when things got a little rocky, they just walked away from Him. It is ironic that the verse this happens in is 6:66. They decided that their Messiah was not the Messiah. Also, Peter, even having been with Jesus so long, betrayed Him, denying Him three times. And this, even after he was told he would do so!

Only in the resurrection did he turn back to the Lord. But then! In Galatians 2, he still failed in his stance –

“Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; ¹² for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. ¹³ And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.” Galatians 2:11-13

Believing the gospel is only the very beginning of being a light in the world. The fuel to make that light effective is found in ardently sticking out the tough times and unceasingly searching out the word. If you are unwilling to do these things, you will never be an effective light in this darkened world. Knuckle down! Get to it. Follow Jesus, and be a burning torch as you walk in this sin-filled world.

Lord God, help us to be effective followers of Jesus. The walk can be tiring, filled with sandpits and snares, and one that is fraught with frustration, but with Your Spirit to guide us, we know we can do it. So, Lord, help us each step of our lives to be faithful followers of our true Light, Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Monday, 18 November 2024

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Matthew 5:13

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“You, you are the salt of the earth, and if the salt – it may be insipid – in what will it be salted? For nothing it strengthens now. If not, having been cast out – trodden by men.” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus encouraged the disciples, telling them that even in times of persecution, if it is for His sake, they should rejoice. They have a greater reward coming. Now, He begins to describe their state in Him, and what they should do about it, beginning with, “You, you are the salt of the earth.”

Salt has various uses and connotations in Scripture. It enhances flavor, thus making the bland palatable. It prevents decomposition and corruption. It is used as a base of the temple incense when compounding the fragrances (Exodus 30:35). It was the one mandated addition to the sacrifices and offerings at the Tabernacle that had no prescribed measurement. Etc.

Thus, it is a symbol of covenant faithfulness. This is seen, for example, in Numbers 18 –

“All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.” Numbers 18:19

As such, the disciples were to reflect the covenant promises in their lives. Jesus was equating them to salt to indicate how they should conduct themselves as they went forth, sharing the good news of the kingdom. Understanding this, He next says, “and if the salt – it may be insipid – in what will it be salted?”

The verb translated as insipid, mórainó, speaks of a person turning to foolishness. The cognate noun móros, speaks of a fool or a stupid person. Today, we would call such a person a moron.

The earth needed the salt of the good news. Without it, there would be no good news! But if the disciples were like useless salt, the earth would not find the hope and restoration it needed. They were to be active and “tasty” as they went forth, preserving the message purely while also maintaining absolute covenant faithfulness by not adding nor subtracting from the word.

This role continues with believers today. We are not to distract ourselves from our role in this manner but are to give hope in a meaningful way to those we encounter. Otherwise, the earth where we are will not be properly salted. That is seen in the words, “For nothing it strengthens now.”

What good is a bump on a log? It is annoying to sit on and will be cut off when the planning process takes place. What good is salt if it has lost its saltiness? It has no value. As such, Jesus says of it, “If not, having been cast out – trodden by men.”

Imagine on the day when we stand before the Lord, and we are questioned about our role in continuing the message of Christ. When asked what value we had, our answer is, “I was like a floor mat that people walked over. Other than that, I didn’t do very much.”

That is essentially what Jesus is saying to His disciples. “If you aren’t willing to get up and fill your role, you are no better than the dirt under the people’s feet to Me.” Considering that man was formed from the dust of the earth, it is a scathing indictment. “You were as much help in spreading the good news as Adam was before I formed him.”

Jesus is using a simple metaphor to convey a wonderful truth about how things should be. Of the terminology here, Vincent’s word studies provides the following story from history –

“Dr. Thompson (“The Land and the Book”) cites the following case: ‘A merchant of Sidon, having farmed of the government the revenue from the importation of salt, brought over a great quantity from the marshes of Cyprus – enough, in fact, to supply the whole province for many years. This he had transferred to the mountains, to cheat the government out of some small percentage of duty. Sixty-five houses were rented and filled with salt. Such houses have merely earthen floors, and the salt next the ground was in a few years entirely spoiled. I saw large quantities of it literally thrown into the road to be trodden under foot of men and beasts. It was ‘good for nothing.’”

Life application: Of what value is your salvation to you? In the world, it appears as if most Christians are asleep to the fact that they were once eternally separated from God because of simply being born.

Instead, we grade ourselves on a bell curve against others. “Well, I wasn’t a drug addict or a prostitute like… like they were!” Yes, but you were just as far from God as they were. In your arrogance, you are failing to be what God wants you to be now. Which is actually worse?

Have salt in your life and be willing to acknowledge the greatness of God, who was willing to do for you what you could never do for yourself. Be one who is willing to make the world a better place by bringing others to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Don’t be foolish and wind up trampled under the feet of the common people as they go about their daily lives, not even noticing that you are there.

Glorious Lord God, You have done for us what we could never have done. You removed our sin and placed us high in the heavenly places with You. This is because of Your goodness and love for the people of the world. Help us to act in a like manner toward those we encounter, never failing to be like salt in their lives. Amen.

Sunday, 17 November 2024

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“You – rejoice and cavort, for your recompense – great in the heavens, for thus they pursued the prophets before you” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that His disciples were blessed when they were pursued for righteousness, and when all kinds of evil was spoken against them for Jesus’ sake. Now, He continues, saying, “You – rejoice and cavort.”

The word translated as cavort is a new and fun word, agalliaó. The literal meaning is “leap much,” coming from agan, much and hallomai, to gush, leap, or spring up. The single word in English that conveys the same meaning is cavort. Jesus tells his disciples that this should be their attitude when they are pursued for righteousness and defamed for His sake. Next, He says, “for your recompense – great in the heavens.”

The meaning is the future life when people are raised and rewarded according to their lives and actions. Jesus will repay every deed done in faith for His name. Nothing will go unrecompensed, and all accounts will be minutely settled according to the goodness of His grace. Understanding that, He closes the verse with, “for thus they pursued the prophets before you.”

The thought, naturally, that goes through people’s minds is one of comparison. “Billy Graham was such a great man of God. He will receive a great reward for what he did in his life.” So too, the people of Israel would have read the Book of Jeremiah and said, “Just look at all Jeremiah went through! He will receive a great reward at the resurrection.”

This is natural. The prophets of the past were hounded, pursued, and killed for their faithful adherence to the word of the Lord. And so, people would compare themselves and strive to be more like them in their minds and actions. Jesus comforted these disciples in advance, telling them that what was in store for them would likewise be rewarded when they were so hounded.

Life application: What Jesus said was to His disciples under the law and in anticipation of the coming dispensation of grace. However, it follows that the truth stated in His words would apply to anyone in this dispensation as well. Paul speaks of this in 1 Corinthians 3 where he details the rewards and losses that can be expected from the deeds of this life.

He also speaks of rewards several other times. God is carefully watching the things we do, and He will reward us according to our faith. Any deed, no matter how small it is, will receive its reward if it is done in faith. If it is not, no matter how big and grand it is, it will receive no reward.

Live your days for Jesus, be filled with the Spirit, and let your life be in close harmony with God at all times. When the opportunity arises, even in the smallest deed, do it in faith that your act will receive its just reward. It is for sure that you will.

Lord God, may our lives be dedicated to You at all times. Help us to remember to do what is right and to carry through with it, knowing that our labors here will not be in vain. Rather, You are watching, and You will reward according to Your great goodness. Thank You that we know for certain this is true. Amen.