THEY ARE WATCHING

THEY ARE WATCHING

READ:
Matthew 5:13-16

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

A professional football player's team was having a terrible season, losing week after week.  A reporter asked him how he stayed motivated to play hard and give his best even though his team lost almost every game.  He responded, "My mom is watching that game.  You better believe I'm going to do my best!"  He recognized that there was more at stake than just winning or losing.  People were watching, and that reality always drove him to do his best.

Jesus reminded us of this reality in the early portions of His Sermon on the Mount.  We should live our lives with a recognition that what we do is observed by those around us-and this visible life makes a statement about our God.  He said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).  How does the light of our lives shine?  By bringing the heart and character of Christ into the situations that engage us every day.  By showing compassion as He did for the marginalized or forgotten.  By displaying concern for the Father's name and reputation.

People are watching us.  The question is, What do they see? -Bill Crowder

Show me the way, Lord, let my light shine
As an example of good to mankind.
Help them to see the patterns of Thee,
Shining in beauty, lived out in me. -Neuer
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Let your light shine-whether you're a candle in a
corner or a lighthouse on a hill.

INSIGHT
In many ways, Christ's Sermon on the Mount is countercultural.  Blessing is promised to the poor, the sorrowing, the humble, and the persecuted (Matthew 5:1-12)-in short, those on the fringes.  As citizens in the kingdom of God, we are to welcome those who do not "fit in."  This heart of compassion is symbolized in word pictures of salt and light in a sin-sick world (vv.13-15).  It is natural to associate with people who are like us.  But this great sermon reminds us that God's love includes the disenfranchised and marginalized people of our world.  Keeping thing in mind will guide how we do "good works and glorify [our] Father in heaven" (v.16).

Have a blessed day and weekend.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace