I recently saw a connection between something Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount and the prophet Zechariah regarding our influence in this world. It’s no secret the Word of God is divinely woven together but it’s always inspiring when the Holy Spirit sheds light on truths that were previously unknown or hidden to us.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Light is meant to be shared.

A couple of things to note first is that Jesus declared in John 8:12 that HE was the light of the world. The understanding here is that once we make Him Lord of our heart, His light comes to abide within us. This is what is meant here when He stated that we are now the light– ones that reveal and reflect Him to a dark world.

And this is why Jesus said no one lights a lamp and then hides it (puts it under a basket). In other words, Jesus didn’t fill us with His light to then keep it a secret. He said, “No, actually the opposite is true.” Light is meant to be shared.

But here’s the challenge and plot twist: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” The challenge is that this stretches us to share our faith. God wants us to inspire others (a synonym for challenge). So not only are we challenged by the instruction but the twist is that God always intended for our light to challenge others (in a way that leads them to Him).

We could say it this way: Live your testimony.

The Message Translation says: “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors of the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide your light under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand– shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, [our] generous Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

A light stand (or lampstand) is designed to lift the light up. In Zechariah, Chapter 4, the prophet said, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top. The lampstand also has seven lamps at the top with seven spouts for each of the lamps. There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on it’s left” (vs. 2-3).

As I did, and I’m sure you did, Zechariah asked the angel, “What does this mean?”

And the angel replied: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (vs. 6).

And here’s the connection I saw– Jesus asked us to shine our light (to influence others to seek and find Him) but not in our own strength! “Not by might nor by [our own] power, but by [His] Spirit within us.”

Not in our own strength.

Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket…” (Matthew 5:15). Lamps are fueled (lit) by oil. We are the lamps filled with oil (the precious Holy Spirit). And by the Spirit of God, we shine. It’s not our effort, or our works, but Him.

The only thing Jesus asks us to do is, “Don’t hide your light.” He promised to fill us. Our promise is to shine. It can sometimes feel less than humble to “let” our light shine before others, but Jesus wasn’t asking us to be boastful. He was asking us to keep the light bright!

And the result? “So others may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Our influence in this world isn’t by might or by power, but by the Spirit of the Living God.

Oil has to be maintained. We know this from the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). It’s our responsibility to keep the flame of our faith lit (and burning bright). This isn’t works either. It’s daily time with the Lord in prayer and devotion. The natural result is a bright flame.

So not by works, nor by our own strength, but by His Spirit we keep our light bright– so many will see the Light and run to the Father.