Parable of the Light

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven

Many Judean cities were built on sides of mountains, so that travelers would be able see them from afar. Jesus pointed to such a city, telling His disciples that they were like it. The city built on an important location can be seen by many over a wide area; representing a disciple's far-ranging, widespread exposure to others, and their broad influence.

Jesus' illustration of a shining lamp illuminating the home suggests a disciple's more intimate influence. A Christian's actions cannot be hidden from the eyes of either our families or the world. Therefore he must live a righteous, holy, humble, and pure life, letting his "light so shine before men . . . glorifing the Father in heaven."

Light is of a three-fold nature: natural, artificial, and spiritual. Sun light is natural; A lamp, artificial; The light of the Word and its believers; spiritual. This phrase preeminently applied to Jesus because He is to the mortal world what the sun is to the natural world. The apostles, ministers, and all Christians are lights of the world; because by their witness they show; what God requires, what man's condition is, and the way that leads to the Kingdom of God.

Jesus shows the disciples that they have been illuminated so that others might see their light and benefit from it. When a lamp is lit, the light is not concealed but placed where it may be of use. So it is with God's way of life and those who follow it. God gives His truth to us to benefit others. It should not be obscured but shown in stark contrast to the wicked world; thereby exposing and instructing it. If a light is hidden, as under a basket, no one benefits from it.

A Christian's righteous life, pleasant attitude, and good works, including pure conversation and faithful obedience, should not be hidden but should be seen and known. We can give no light until we have received the grace of God and the enlightenment that comes through the Holy Spirit. Our lives must produce the fruit of the spirit, reflecting the shining example of Jesus Christ.

Humbly, in all communities, in all businesses, at home and abroad, in prosperity and adversity, it should be clear that we adhere to God's way of life. Letting our examples shine requires that we resist the influence of the world. We cannot have a light that shines and at the same time live as the world does with its lust of the flesh. We glorify the Father by bearing the fruit of the Spirit and by doing good works, by correctly praising and honoring Him, and by being led to worship Him properly in obedience. We provide a witness to the world when they see in our lives the excellence of God's way. We learn five principles in this parable:

1. God's truth cannot be concealed.

2. Where light is not manifested in our lives, we make no witness.

3. Those that profess Christianity yet live like worldly people prove that they are not truly converted.

4. Attempting to hide our Christianity betrays God's trust, injures the cause of goodness, and renders our lives useless.

5. Good actions will be seen, leading people to honor God.