We have been looking at the command to be light in a dark world. Yesterday, we saw that being a light can bring risks. Jesus says in Matthew 10:24: "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord." Being a light can also be very difficult. Recently someone spread some untruths about me. They were hurtful and malicious. Being a light required that I forgive them. It is not that hard to say the words: “I forgive you;” the difficulty is meaning them. We say I forgive but deep down we are secretly thinking, “God, I hope you get them for this.” To be the light we must act the way Jesus acted. He forgave; we must forgive no matter how hard it is.
Adam Clarke explained verse 24 as follows: “Or in plainer terms, A scholar is not above his teacher. The saying itself requires no comment, its truth and reasonableness are self-evident, but to the spirit and design we should carefully attend. Jesus is the great teacher: we profess to be his scholars. He who keeps the above saying in his heart will never complain of what he suffers. How many irregular thoughts and affections is this maxim capable of restraining! A man is not a scholar of Christ unless he learn his doctrine; and he does not learn it as he ought unless he put it in practice.” Clarke used the word “scholar” for our word “disciple.” The disciple is a learner; the point is that you can’t really learn something unless you do it.
Today, be a light no matter how difficult the way may seem. You are only a light as you practice being a light. Shine bright even if it involves a risk or is difficult. As you do, you are fulfilling the command of Scripture.
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