“You Are the Light of the World”

Jesus Christ told His followers, “You are the light of the world.” What exactly did He mean? How should we be lights?

After describing His disciples as “the salt of the earth,” Jesus then used another metaphor to describe them: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Just what does this series of statements regarding the visibility of light mean for us today?

What does it mean to be “the light of the world”?

The description “light of the world” conveys a responsibility that Christ places on the shoulders of His followers. Christians, who are to have the characteristics listed in the Beatitudes, are to be visible examples of His way of life to the world around them. Their examples are to be so powerful and dynamic that they serve as a spiritual light.

In a world full of evil and spiritual darkness, this becomes an increasingly vital responsibility for His people (Philippians 2:15).

Being labeled as “the light of the world” isn’t just a fancy title or a nicesounding phrase. Instead, it’s to be a description that affects every aspect of how we live our lives. Christians are called out of this dark world, and we are to walk “as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

We are to have nothing to do with the darkness that dwells in the surrounding world (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Our light has to shine brightly, regardless of the situation.

We should shine as a spiritual light—through our words, attitude and conduct—to everyone we come in contact with.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden

After stating that His followers are the light of the world, Jesus continued, “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

This expression has been used metaphorically by various religious and political leaders, ranging from John Winthrop in 1630 to American President Ronald Reagan in 1989. To those in Christ’s time, the city on a hill referred to a reality that His audience would have easily appreciated.

As a means of defense, ancient cities were built on hilltops. While this was done to help deter attackers, being at a higher altitude also meant that a city could be seen from a distance.

As Jesus Christ’s followers, our light should also be visible from a distance. Spiritually, we are to be the model nation that God wanted the ancient nation of Israel to be.

God told ancient Israel that He gave them His laws to be “your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has God so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?”

(Deuteronomy 4:6-7).

But physical Israel failed in that responsibility (1 Corinthians 10:1-11). As spiritual Israel, followers of Jesus Christ are to succeed where physical Israel failed. Our light has to shine brightly, showing people what the ways of God look like in action.

Our light should affect those who are around us. And not just the people we personally know. Sometimes our example can have a great impact even on people who quickly pass through our lives—the restaurant waiter, the hotel receptionist, a chance visitor in the workplace.

Peter said that our example should be such that those we encounter “may, by [our] good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).

Lamp on a lampstand

Jesus continued, “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” (Matthew 5:15).

Unlike a city on a hill, a lamp cannot normally be seen from a distance. A lamp doesn’t always put out a far-reaching light. Yet everyone within that lamp’s sphere of influence enjoys its benefits.

The light of God needs to be evident in our lives to those around us. While our light should not be obnoxious or glaring, God’s people should not cover their light or hide it so others can’t see it.

There are times when we might hide our own lights. The apostle Peter was one of Christ’s closest friends, yet he denied Him in front of multiple people because he was afraid for his life (Mark 14:66-72). Like Peter, we may find ourselves tempted to hide our lights in an attempt to protect ourselves from life’s difficulties.

But Christ doesn’t give us that light so we can hide it. Instead, God calls us to shine—to use our gifts to serve others and to serve Him and further His work (Matthew 25:14-30).

Peter learned to be a light, as we can see by his powerful example of preaching the gospel in the book of Acts. And he also gave this advice about how to prepare to be a light: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

Even if our personal lights are small and not very far-reaching, they can still be bright. Those within our sphere of influence should be positively influenced and shown a part of God’s character through how we live.

“Let your light so shine before men”

Jesus continued, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). This final verse about light reveals the purpose behind our light and why it matters so much.

Our light doesn’t come from us, but is actually a reflection of God’s light. The Bible describes the law of God as a light. The law serves as a light that shows us how to live His way of life and helps keep us from stumbling in the dark (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23-24).

Jesus is the light of the world

The Bible also explains that the true source of light is Jesus Christ, who declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Whatever light we have comes solely from the light that Jesus Christ gives to us.

As Christians reflecting Christ’s light, we must recognize that it’s not about getting praise for ourselves by the brightness of our light. Instead, we’re to make sure that Christ and the Father receive all the glory for our good deeds.

Our lights cannot convert people to Christ’s way of life—that requires God’s calling (John 6:44). But when our examples are shining brightly— individually and collectively—we can make it easier for others to glorify God when they are called.

Those God is calling now are to be shining examples in an increasingly dark world. We are to be the light of the world.