BRIGHTEN YOUR CORNER
When Jesus said these words, his listeners were not certain what
to make of it. On the one hand, they knew that to place a lighted
lamp under a jar not only would serve no purpose, but the lamp would
eventually go out when the oxygen was used up. But if the lamp were
placed on a lamp stand, then it would light up a room for all who
would enter. That was something they could understand.
But like the other parables told by Jesus, this one has more than
one meaning. A second meaning is that Jesus was speaking of himself
as the Light of the world. His ministry was the beginning of a new
day, a dawn for mankind. And He was telling his listeners that they,
too, could illuminate their own worlds.
All this took place nearly 2,000 years ago, but is still valid
today. We, as followers of Christ, have an obligation to shine for
our Savior by word and deed, to light the room in which we find
ourselves. As children we learned to sing: “Brighten the corner
where you are!” Can we honestly say that we are doing everything we
can?
Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending your Son to light
our world. And we pray for the strength and understanding to
brighten our own corners, to do our part. We ask this in Jesus’
name.
Leslie Riggle
