Matthew 5:14-15, 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (NKJV)

 

The word for lamp is the Greek word luchnos and the word describes a clay lamp which fits in the palm of your hand. During the time of Jesus, this was the only light that there was and every home had all whole bunch of these, they are not rare. Jesus used this illustration to describe us because we are made of clay, and are fragile, just like these lamps, but also because the most valuable thing about the oil lamp was not the lamp itself, it was the oil that was inside it! As long as there was oil in the lamp it would continue to burn, and as long as we have the oil of the Holy Spirit, we can burn and let our light shine in the world around us!