What does this well known passage mean to you?
Matthew 5
14“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.
15No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.
16In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
This
"light" was first given to man in the beginning, before anything was created!
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
The
"life" that was in the Word (Jesus Christ) was
"the light of men". Men were living in the Word, that was in the beginning. This was Christ's Church being in Christ! Men were not the light, they were simply
"reflecting" that light, as only God is light!
As men we are looking into the mirror and we are reflecting the light of God to this dark world. As the palmist said, the spirit of man is the
"candle" "lamp" of the Lord. The Lord has lit our candle, and God has set his Church upon his Holy hill, lamp stand for all to see. No matter how hard darkness tries, it can not extinguish this light. Light shined in darkness, and the darkness could not comprehend it!
Eph 5:8 for at one time you were darkness, but
now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Joh 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Joh 1:7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
Joh 1:8
He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
Joh 1:9
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
Pro_20:27
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Psa 18:28
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.