Light of the World

Exodus 27:20 gives instructions through Moses to the people of God on how to keep a lamp burning perpetually.  The solution is simple.  All of Israel must bring to the priests pure beaten olive oil.  The oil will keep the lamp burning.  As we see these instructions given to the people of God, we realize that it is a collaborative effort from all the people of God which serves to keep a single lamp burning.  In other words, the people of God working individually supply the light of the world collectively.  “You are the light of the world,” says Jesus.  This is true collectively of the church whenever each individual member is beating out his pure olive oil and bringing it forward as fuel for the lamp.