Let your Light so Shine Jesus used the imagery of light to teach his followers just how vital their good works were in a world of self seeking and self interest. He said to His disciples in Matthew 5:14-16 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. {15} 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. {16} Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." The world is a mighty big place to light up! It is made up of cities where you and I work, like the one set on a hill. It is made up homes were you and I live with our families, like the one in the illustration Jesus used. It is also made up of churches were God's people worship and learn how to shine in a dark world. The Old testament tabernacle always had a candlestick for light to illuminate the beautiful truths of Christ to be seen within. So while you and I who now follow Christ may not be able to light up the world, we can and must light up the city, the home, and the church were we work and live and worship. While there are many examples in the Bible of how our lights can shine in this dark world, there is one that is particularly interesting. It is found in the last chapter of the book of Romans in the brief mention of a Christian woman you may have never paid much attention to before. You probably won't find her story in a book about women of the Bible. I didn't find her in one that my wife enjoys. (Rom 16:1-2 KJV) "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: {2} That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also." The profoundness of these two short verses is easy to miss. Paul's description is the only record we have...it is what the Holy Spirit is pleased for us to know...what he tells us must be the only things that are important...the things of eternal value. "I commend," says the great apostle.. It means quite literally to stand with so as to approve or, importantly, to exhibit...to put on display, this "sister"...in the Greek, this womb mate. Paul holds forth this little known woman for all to see....a sister in Christ...born of the Holy Spirit of God...as sharing that womb with all who are born of God. But what is the commendation he gives? Simply and beautifully this: she is "a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea." The word traslated "servant" is rooted in the idea of running errands. It is used for a waiter or one who is busy with menial duties. There are myriads of these duties associated with a church. Done quietly, often thanklessly. Sacrifices of time, energy, resources for the people and the house of God. We are reminded in thinking of this woman that the chief apostle has put on exhibition of the words of Jesus: "whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Jesus uses the same word Paul spoke of this sister, servant of the church. It is interesting too where she served God. The church at Cenchrea. Ever hear of it? Probably not, or at least never paid much attention to it. It was a little church about 9 miles east of the big one, the well known one, the famous one in Corinth. It was in a little village the name of which means "millet." Millet is a name for any one of various small seeded cereal grains and forrage grasses for feeding livestock. What a beautiful picture the Bible gives us here: a little church of Jesus Christ in a little village away from the crowds and the glitz and the glamour...a little pasture place for God's sheep where there was a woman who ministered to the needs of many. What was her name? Phebe. It means "bright," it comes from the root "Phos" in the Greek language, a word which simply means "light." And so we come back to where we began:Matthew 5:14-16 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. {15} 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. {16} Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."