Open Heaven 28 October 2025: Shine the Light
MEMORISE: 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. Matthew 5:15
READ: Matthew 18:23-35:
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, andchildren, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, andI will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave theeall that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was dueunto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
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Every true child of God is a shining light. You are the light of the world, and Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Light has one clear duty: shining. This means that anything that stops light from shining is its enemy. As a child of God, anything that stops you from shining is your enemy, and you must deal with it.
Anything that allows darkness to gain the upper hand over light in a believer’s life is an enemy. In today’s memory verse, Jesus identified an object that can keep our light from shining and allow darkness to rule over light – a bushel. A bushel is typically a wooden bucket that was used for measuring dry goods such as peas or grains in the past. If someone lights a lamp in a dark room and puts it under a bushel, it will be impossible to tell that there is light anywhere in that room.
One of the most dangerous bushels that has hidden the light of many believers is unforgiveness. The dangerous thing about unforgiveness is that it comes as just one bushel, but it multiplies itself into many other bushels that cover a believer’s light and keep it from shining. Unforgiveness always comes with bitterness, grudges, anger, and resentment. When someone offends you and you decide not to forgive the person, before long, you will find yourself resenting the person and refusing to speak amicably with him or her. Unforgiveness also hinders prayers from getting answered.
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25-26
Beloved, don’t toy with unforgiveness; it hides a person’s light and plunges the unforgiving person into darkness. When Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant in today’s Bible reading, He revealed the end of those who do not forgive – they are handed over to tormentors.
Have you been hiding your light under the bushel of unforgiveness? It is time to kick it away and let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). I pray that God will be glorified through your words and actions, in Jesus’ name.
KEY POINT
Unforgiveness is dangerous; don’t let it dim your light.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Open Heaven 28 October 2025
