Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, Prayer for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany)
Many of us, perhaps, remember the children’s song, This Little Light of Mine. You know. The light that we won’t hide under a bushel. The light that we won’t let Satan blow out. The light we will shine until Jesus comes. Oh, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
The prayer for this week reminds us that this light is not some inherent light that dwells in all people. Instead, this light is Jesus Himself. We see this in the Gospel of John. In the majestic opening Prologue, we are told that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it and the true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world (1:5, 9). And later on, Jesus explicitly states, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (8:12).
Notice then the “light” words that are used to describe God’s people. We are illumined by the word of God and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We pray that we might shine. But that shining is not a shining of our glory. Instead, we shine with the radiance of the glory of Christ. Moses’s face shone so bright with this light, he had to wear a veil. But because of the Lord, we are unveiled, beholding his glory, being transformed because God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
This shining of the light of Christ in and through us is for a three-fold purpose. First, that he might be made known to those who don’t know him. Second, such revelation would lead to Christ receiving the worship He is due. And finally, that such revelation and worship of Jesus would lead to transformed lives of obedience. An encounter with the light of the world is intended to end with faithful followers.
Saints, this is part of the reason for our weekly gathering for worship. The darkness in the world around us and that remains in us seeks to obscure the light. But in our worship, we cast our gaze anew on Jesus, who by His Spirit, fans the flame of His light within us. Word and Sacrament fuel that light. And having been renewed in His light, you are then sent into the world to let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). So, let your little light shine so that those around you may see the great light, who is Jesus Himself.
