[CYM] 24.0 Let Your Light Shine

Let your light shine expresses Yeshua’s command for His followers to live in a way that reflects God’s truth, love, and character to the world. This teaching is most directly found in the Sermon on the Mount.

In Matthew 5:14–16, Yeshua says:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Here, Yeshua commands believers to live visibly righteous and compassionate lives—not for self-glory, but to point others to God. Just as light dispels darkness, believers and followers of Messiah are called to bring moral clarity, truth, and hope to a darkened world.

While Mark, Luke, and John do not repeat this exact phrase, they carry the same message.

In Luke 11:33, Yeshua says, no man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. This affirms that faith is not private; it must be lived openly and fruitfully.

In John 8:12, Yeshua declares, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life, and in John 12:36, He urges, while ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

Believers reflect Messiah’s light as they abide in Him. Together, these teachings form a consistent command: Yeshua calls His disciples to shine His light through their actions, character, and witness—illuminating God’s goodness in a world that desperately needs it.