The light of truth comes from heaven (John 1:4), but when it illuminates our own lives it becomes our light (Isa. 60:1-3; Eph. 5:14). The Twelve, so recently appointed, were Christianity’s first commissioned light bearers. The effectiveness with which the disciples came to reflect the light of truth and the love of God became evident even to their most bitter foes, who “took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). He it was who had shed abroad the light of heaven in the world (John 1:4). No greater compliment could the Jewish rulers have paid to the disciples; no greater recognition could they have made of the effectiveness of Christ’s mission. He kindled a light in the hearts of men that was never to be extinguished.

A lamp is known by the clearness and strength of the light it gives. The oil in a lamp on its stand may not be visible to those in the room, but the fact that the lamp gives forth light is evidence that there is a supply of oil in the lamp.

 Satan has ever sought to misrepresent the Father. Christ came to dispel the darkness and to reveal the Father. This same work Christ committed to His disciples. Light shines, not so much that men may see the light, as that they may see other things because of the light. Our lights are to shine, not so that men may be attracted to us, but that they may be attracted to Christ, who is the light of life, and to things worth while (Matt. 6:31-34; John 6:27; cf. Isa. 55:1, 2).

 This is the first time Matthew refers to God as “Father,” a term he uses frequently hereafter (chs. 5:45, 48; 6:1, 9; etc.). The concept of God as Father, and of men as His children appears often in the OT (Deut. 32:6; Isa. 63:16; 64:8; Jer. 3:4; etc.). But Christ endowed the Father-Son relationship with new meaning (COL 141, 142). In Jewish literature God is often represented as a “Father” in heaven.