You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
“The call of Jesus makes the disciple community not only the salt but also the light of the world: their activity is visible, as well as imperceptible. “Ye are the light.” Once again it is not: ”You are to be the light,” they are already the light because Christ has called them, they are a light which is seen of men, they cannot be otherwise, and if they were it would be a sign that they had not been called.
How impossible, how utterly absurd it would be for the disciples-these disciples, such men as these!-to try and become the light of the world! No, they are already the light, and the call has made them so. Nor does Jesus say: ”You have the light.” The light is not an instrument which has been put into their hands, such as their preaching. It is the disciples themselves.
The same Jesus who, speaking of himself, said, “I am the light;’ says to his followers: “You are the light in your whole existence, provided you remain faithful to your calling. And since you are that light, you can no longer remain hidden, even if you want to.” It is the property of light to shine. A city set on a hill cannot be hid; it can be seen for miles away, whether it is a fortified burgh, a stronghold or a tottering ruin.
This city set on the hill (the Israelite would instinctively think of “Jerusalem on high”) is the disciple community. But this is not to say that the disciples have now to make their first decision. The only necessary decision has already been taken. Now they must be what they really are-otherwise they are not followers of Jesus. The followers are a visible community…”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) in The Cost of Discipleship (New York: Macmillan, 1979) 131-132. Click here to download this classic work.
Today marks the last day exploring input from Dietrich Bonhoeffer at this time. Do download the book for reading and sharing if you have not already done so.
Yesterday Bonhoeffer reminded us that Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth. Today, he adds that we are the light of the world. And he adds important clarifications.
Jesus did not say we “are to be” the light or that we “have” the light. When we live out our faith, we shine for Jesus. And our generosity shows his light and love to the world.
You can sense the urgency in these posts from Bonhoeffer. I am trying to echo that same urgency today. Be what you are, otherwise you are not a follower of Jesus.