Tuesday, 19 November 2024
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14
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“You, you are the world’s light. A city, not it is able to conceal lying atop a hill” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that His disciples were the salt of the earth. Now, He makes another comparison, saying, “You, you are the world’s light.”
Elsewhere in the New Testament, Jesus states that He is the light, such as in John 9:5 –
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John says the same thing about Jesus on several occasions in his gospel and epistles. There is no contradiction here. To share the good news of Jesus is to share His light. Upon His departure, those who share it are said to be lights by Paul –
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14, 15
Paul says this elsewhere as well. In Ephesians 5, he specifically says the reason for using this metaphor –
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:8-11
The world is filled with sin. This can be equated to darkness. It casts a spiritual pall over the people of the world. Only in coming to Christ will this change. However, it should be obvious that this is not some type of impartation of light that suddenly changes a person to become a useful light.
One must know what their conversion meant and how to convey that to others. That can only come by knowing the word which gives instruction on such matters. Those following Jesus didn’t suddenly get injected with this light. Rather, that is why they are called disciples. They followed Him, learned from Him, and were corrected by Him.
The charismatic approach to theology is simply not found in Scripture. Hard work is necessary to be a Spirit-filled light in the world. Understanding this, Jesus continues, saying, “A city, not it is able to conceal lying atop a hill.”
The word epanó, atop, is used. It extends beyond the word “on” usually used here. It is derived from epi, on or upon, and anó, up, above, up to the top, etc. The city sits atop the hill, in the most prominent position. Other than a cloudy day, it is not possible for such a city to be hidden. It sits openly for all to see.
Likewise, if one is outspoken in his ministry of conveying Jesus, it cannot be hidden. The light that is effective is one that has sufficient fuel and oxygen to shine brightly. Jesus is telling us, quite clearly, that to be effective in our lives as Christians, we are to be properly discipled in the word, outspoken in our proclamation, and unashamed of conveying the good news to others.
Life application: The words of Jesus here are a clear and unambiguous declaration that to be effective in one’s life as a useful Christian, a person will be properly discipled. Even the disciples that followed Jesus were not like this for much of their time with Him. For example –
“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” John 6:66
These people were not willing to stick it out and do the hard work of discovering what Jesus meant. Instead, when things got a little rocky, they just walked away from Him. It is ironic that the verse this happens in is 6:66. They decided that their Messiah was not the Messiah. Also, Peter, even having been with Jesus so long, betrayed Him, denying Him three times. And this, even after he was told he would do so!
Only in the resurrection did he turn back to the Lord. But then! In Galatians 2, he still failed in his stance –
“Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.” Galatians 2:11-13
Believing the gospel is only the very beginning of being a light in the world. The fuel to make that light effective is found in ardently sticking out the tough times and unceasingly searching out the word. If you are unwilling to do these things, you will never be an effective light in this darkened world. Knuckle down! Get to it. Follow Jesus, and be a burning torch as you walk in this sin-filled world.
Lord God, help us to be effective followers of Jesus. The walk can be tiring, filled with sandpits and snares, and one that is fraught with frustration, but with Your Spirit to guide us, we know we can do it. So, Lord, help us each step of our lives to be faithful followers of our true Light, Jesus our Lord. Amen.