Key Verse: “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 CSB)
In Matthew 5:14-15, Jesus uses two illustrations to help us understand what it means to be an effective Christian who is serious about fulfilling His kingdom mission. He first speaks of “a city situated on a hill.” In ancient times, cities were often built out of white limestone up on a hill. During the day, the light would gleam from the city and be very visible to those looking from a distance. At night, the city would emit a glow from the oil lamps that were lit by those who lived there. No matter the time of day, the city was clearly in sight to those who looked on.
The second illustration that Jesus uses is a lamp in a house. When you light a candle or turn on lamp in your home, you don’t put it in a closet or “under a basket.” Instead, you put it “on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house”. A lamp must be visible in order to be effective.
“In the same way,” a secret or hidden Christian is an ineffective Christian. In order to be effective in fulfilling the mission that has been entrusted to you by Jesus, you need to ensure that your faith in Him is actually visible to people around you. You are the light of the world! So like a city on a hill or a light on a lampstand, “let your light shine before others” (v.16).
So how do we actually do that? How do we shine the light of Christ to the world around us? According to Jesus, it is through our “good works.” The way we live and spend our time, the way we behave, the words that come out of our mouths, the attitudes that we have, and the way that we treat others around us all need to be a reflection of our faith in Jesus Christ.
To be clear, your good works are not what earns you favour or salvation with God. Rather, they are the proof that your faith in Jesus is truly real. They are also a tool for helping effectively fulfill your mission in the world around you. The goal is that people would “see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (v.16).
The Apostle Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels” (Luke 9:26). Jesus wants us to live unashamedly for Him.
How obvious is your faith in Jesus Christ to those around you? When they look at your life, is it clear that you follow Jesus? Remember, you are the light of the world. So let your light shine today!
Prayer: Jesus, I want others to see you through me. Continue your transforming work in me through the Holy Spirit so that my life shines brightly to the world around me. Help me not to be ashamed of my faith, but instead to live boldly for you. May others give you glory as they see the difference that you are making in me. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
