You are the Light of the World

Read Matthew 5:14-16

If you remember Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth…” then you’ll recognize the parallel with this second metaphor.  First there is the emphatic affirmation. You (plural, ‘y’all disciples’) yourselves are the light of the world. Christ does not say you may be or will be. These hearers are not the future or the contingent sources of light or salt for the dark, decaying world. They now, by virtue of the re-made character described in the Beatitudes, are the Light of the World. Further, it is not some special class of Christians, but all Christians who are this light. However, a condition or rider is attached here: They are the light if and as long as they function as true light.

In these verses Jesus mentions two sources of light. The first is a “city on a hill.” In 1619 as the religious founders of America left Holland for the New World, one of their leaders was William Bradford. He was elected first Governor of Plymouth Colony, and in 1620 gave an address that compared the Christian settlement to a ‘city on a hill.’ Presidents Kennedy and Reagan later borrowed that metaphor, but it has its origin here in the NT. It means that true Christianity will shine even in a resistant society around us. Bradford called the New World pilgrims to put their faith into practice and shine it into the world.

Many of you may have noticed, perhaps in winter with low-lying clouds, how you can see the aura of a distant city. On an airplane flight hundreds of miles away on a clear night, you can see the glow from a city. On occasion you can see the glow of your town from a highway at night. In Jesus’ day, electric light was not abundant, so a lit-up city on a hill radiated all the more in contrast to its blackness. The Christian’s life is compared to this effect—it lights up and stands out radiantly within the surrounding darkness.

The second source of light in verse 15 is a lamp on a stand. Jesus says, rather common-sensically, that if one wishes to light up a house, then one does not light a candle only to cover it (or extinguish it) with a bushel basket or large bowl. That is contrary to the function of light.

The function of light is two-fold.

1. First, the primary function of light is to scatter darkness so that we might see. It is most fundamental to light that it is introduced so that darkness is dispelled. The smallest spark of light illuminates an entire room. The Creator lit up the universe in the beginning (Gen. 1:1-3) even before solar light existed, and Jesus was the true light (Jn. 1:9) coming into the world to dispel darkness. So we as Christians are to have a darkness-dispelling influence on the world. The light of Christ radiating from the Christian exposes the darkness. No true Christian can hide this light. If one attempts to hide that light or blend in with the darkness, that person has no distinctive calling and we may be sure is not a Christian.

Do you know what the second largest mission force in the world is? American public school teachers. Noting how abrasive some school systems are, many Christians have avoided that environment. But there are also millions who are seeking to have a godly witness in public schools. I know as a Pastor I am awfully proud of church members who are witnessing there day in and day out. That is a missionary force. I thank you, and we should pray for our teachers more as classes resume!

I wonder what other large missionary forces there are: Christian business-owners? Doctors? Whatever your profession, join with other Christians and be salt and light where you are.

2. The secondary function of light is to give guidance. Jesus teaches that we are not to hide our light under a container. That would either put the light out (from lack of oxygen) or thwart its function to give illumination. He points out how absurd that would be (v. 15). Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Thus Christians are to be exhibitionists of God’s light and truth. We’re not to cover it, but unveil it to the world. So they’ll have guidance.

The effect of light however is often as unwanted as the effect of salt. Just as salt has a biting effect, so consider the painful effect of light to the undilated pupils of one dwelling in darkness. The effect of light is to make things visible—not hidden. And if light is not functioning that way it must be under a bushel.

Just as with true salt, true light cannot be covered or lose its effect. Light and salt may be like energy in that they cannot be destroyed. They only change forms.

Jesus says you true Christians are this way. Just like light, you influence the world for God’s good.

He concludes with verse 16: “In the same way” just as light has this influence, “let your light shine before men”—not under a bushel, but before, in front of, not hidden from the vision of people. The purpose of this is explicit: “That they may see your good deeds and as a result be led to praise your Father in heaven.”            

Phil. 2:15-16 teaches: By normal Christian obedience, we will do certain observable things that glorify our Father in front of onlookers. The phrase “good deeds” is a general expression to cover everything a Christian says and does to be praised or recognized, but so that our Father will be praised.                 

As Christians we’re given this charge. Be the Salt and Light to your county. And to the world as you have opportunity. To see more of what we are called to do a brief history of the impact of these verses might help. Many Christians have observed that things like prison reform, medical care, the abolition of slavery, abolition of child labor abuses, establishment of orphanages, and other areas have been manned by Christ’s disciples as salt and light.

The beginning of hospitals is related to salt and light Christianity. Christians cared for the poor and sick, when others wouldn’t. Calvin’s Geneva saw a huge advance in the 1540s when the Genevan diaconate started hospitals. Christians believe compassion is the spreading of salt and light to those who are disabled, imprisoned, and in the last stated of life. Medical doctors in Africa who serve as missionaries, even at the cost of contracting Ebola, are salt and light, as are many other examples of Christianity giving systemic compassion to meet the needs of the world.

If improvements have ever been made in society (in home, school, state or culture) they’ve usually been pioneered by the Salt and Light Community. That’s our calling today still.

A classic work, J. W. Bready’s England: Before and After Wesley, catalogs the influence of John Wesley on the English society for the good. Most people would not notice the effect of something like preaching on a country. Not only did his preaching help prevent a similar bloody revolution like in neighboring France, but he also helped preserve that society and alleviate darkness. This has always been the pattern when professing Christians have been less concerned with personal prestige and more concerned with norms of the kingdom.[1]

Today in our society, we need Christians to be the Salt and Light in politics—don’t just turn that sector over to non-Christians; in education and on boards of education—don’t just allow humanists to influence education by our non-involvement; in law—to bring God’s righteousness and ethics back into the law; in social issues, the quest for peace, and in dealing equitably with the poor and disadvantaged, we as Christians are designated “Salt and Light.”

And we can do this, by his mighty power when we’re faithful to our calling. Consider the effect of one Christian in a group who:

• Does not laugh at a particular kind of joke and thus seasons that group.
• Practices forgiveness amidst a company that is poisoned by hatred.
• Stands up for the little guy, the nerd, or the object of the joke in a group of rowdies.
• Speaks against worldliness and immorality.
• Acts as a father should, leading the family in prayer when they’re at each other’s throats.
• Shares his faith in Christ during a meeting when religion is mocked.
• Persistently does not gossip over coffee with her neighbors who thrive on such.

What can you do? Or in what area have you not been as fully extended as you should be?

One grain of salt, one particle of light can have a tremendous effect. But only as we give ourselves away and expend ourselves for Christ. We are called to be a “visible community” distinct from the world, but impacting it. As John Stott put it: “Jesus calls his disciples to exert a double influence on the secular community, a negative influence by arresting its decay and a positive influence by bringing light into its darkness (for) it is one thing to stop the spread of evil; it is another to promote the spread of truth.”[2] By living the Beatitudes we will have this influence on our community. But “probably the greatest tragedy of the church throughout its long history has been its constant tendency to conform to the prevailing culture instead of developing a Christian counter-culture.”

We are to be different. Jesus said to his first disciples and to all true disciples of the Gospel listening today, “You alone are the Salt of the earth and Light of the world.” In you alone is there hope and to you alone is this call. If you do not function, no one else will and we’ll live in a degenerating world portrayed in Romans 1. God help us to be Salt and Light and thus radiate our Father’s influence to our world and our homes.