Crowd Vs. Disciples

"In the same way, 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

Doesn't this verse just sum it all up? Our desire, our goal, to shine for Jesus. "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.....Don't let Satan blow it out." But the neat thing about Matthew 5 is that it will make you think. How to not just admire the light of Jesus, but what it means to take it on ourselves. 

Jesus is followed by a crowd. A crowd that is not to be confused with His disciples. These two groups were distinct. The crowd that followed Jesus was noncommittal. They called him 'teacher' maybe even 'prophet'  but not Savior. A crowd is who condemned Jesus to the cross..... remember, Barrabas. But Jesus' crowd, his tribe, they were committed. They were no more perfect than those who condemned Him, but they called him, "Savior, Redeemer, Friend, Son of God." 

This made me think a lot about how I see Jesus and who He is. Because I do want my light to shine, but for who and what? And how does me commitment to Christ show in my own life. 

As Chapter 5 continues, Jesus delivers the beatitudes and moves into what a disciples "job" is; what the disciples are committed too. See Jesus was preparing those who knew/know Him to preserve this world. "YOU are the salt of the earth, but if the salt lost its taste, how shall it its saltiness be restored?" (Mt. 5:13). Then again, a verse later, "YOU are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." (Mt. 5:14). Jesus is clear, as a disciple, not a crowd member we are to preserve the world with the goodness of God, with His word and His light.  The result of all our actions, our words, our choices are to point to a gracious and good Heavenly Father. When we live our lives committed to being more like Christ will be His disciple. "But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." (Mt. 5:19b).