DIVINE LIGHTHOUSES (1)

“A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” – Mathew 5:14b

Believers in Christ are ordained to be DIVINE LIGHTHOUSES: “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Mt. 5:14b). Lighthouses were beacons of safety for travelers on waterways. They warned ships of dangerous sand bars and rocky shores that lie along the course. Prior to the discovery of radar, satellite navigation and GPS systems, lighthouses protected ships from crashing onto rocks, shoals and shores. Their light guided ships navigating treacherous waters into a safe harbor. Lighthouses were built solely to serve, not for their own sake.

Yet, lighthouses did not fire cannons to call attention to their shining; they simply shined! That’s the nature of the Believer in Christ – a city set on a hill. However, believers are lighthouses only because Jesus is our Eternal Lighthouse: “I AM the LIGHT of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of Life” (Jh.8:12). We live in a dark world filled with troubles, but the Light of Jessus, the Word – beams through the oppression to guide us into the safety of God’s Presence: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jh.16:33).

Lighthouses have three main features: Firm, Flashing, and Faithful.

Firm: Lighthouses were constructed at the most dangerous parts of the coastline, anchored deep on solid rock, to support the height and weight of the tall columns. Pounded by waves, buffeted by fierce gales, these structures remain firm, many enduring centuries of service. In His earth-walk, Jesus stood firm, unwavering in the face of oppression and death on a cross. Now, our resurrected Saviour provides an everlasting foundation in every circumstance. In turn, He calls us who believe in Him to rest firmly on Him, our Rock of Ages: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily” (Isa.28:16).

Flashing: Each lighthouse has a signature light pattern, and sailors memorize the rhythm of each signal. The string of lighthouses along the coast serves as a map to let the sailors know their location. They carefully watch the patterns to navigate from one light to the next until they reach their destination. In the same way, we must fix our eyes on Jesus’ pattern and follow His directions (2Tim.1:13; Heb.12:1-2).

Faithful: Knowing that the lives of sailors depended on their faithfulness, lightkeepers used to personally supply the lights with fuel and maintained them so no boat would run ashore. Even with modern navigational aids, unmanned lighthouses, run by machine, remain relevant, their light shining day and night, without fail. We can always trust Jesus because He cannot be anything other than Light: “…He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2Tim.2:13). Jesus as our Light is never fading throughout eternity (Rev.21:23).