This week we will discuss Jesus’ third parable, which is found in the Sermon on the Mount, which is the first of 5 lengthy discourses found in Matthew. This parable is found in Matthew 5:14 – 15, “Lamp on a Stand”.
The listeners are different from the listeners from the first two parables that was discussed last week, which was spoken to the disciples of John the Baptist. This time there is a crowd, a large crowd of Jews. A crowd so large that Jesus had to go up a mountainside. What Jesus was about to teach on was going to rock the world of Jewish believers, because much of what was spoken actually went against their current attitude and beliefs. At this time Jesus began to teach them. He did not preach at them, condemning those who were not like Him. Jesus began teaching with what is known as the Beatitudes or as I like to call them, “beautiful attitudes” before going into this parable.
The verse prior to this parable is Jesus telling everyone that they are the salt of the world. There are two main functions of salt. The first was that salt preserves from corruption. Salt was used to prevent or kill bacteria in food. Salt could literally make the difference between life and death when fresh food was not available.
We should also make a note that we are to be the salt of the earth, not the kingdom of heaven. If we as Christians did not have a purpose after our conversation, we would just as well go straight to heaven right at conversation, but the reality is that the earth needs for us to be the influence of Christ’s church in this age.
The second function of salt is to add flavor. We need to realize that the kingdom of God is not boring, but it is life! Part of our task on earth is to live according to this new nature; alive, purposeful, hopeful, and joyful. Christian’s should be living in such a way that others will pause and consider what is different about them and attract them to Jesus, not to be living in a way that makes people grow even more distant to the ways of Jesus.
“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.” Matthew 5:14 – 15
The picture of light is similar to salt, in that both describe the influence the believer is to have in the world (world here is synonymous with earth from verse 5:13). However, this is a different facet of the believer’s influence. The function of light is to make the truth visible, giving direction and guidance, be what is seen.
Jesus said that “You are the light of the world”, which is what a follower of Jesus is, not something you might become. Everyone is the light, not just the leaders within a church; everyone! Any believer who fails to function as light is going against their nature as God’s new creation.
Both a town built on a hill (5:14) and on its stand (5:15) is telling us that these are elevated, so that their light can be seen by many people over a large area. The light represents our good works, which must be done with such integrity that all who see have no choice but to credit our Father in heaven. The Christian’s light and influence are to be visible and obvious, not secret or hidden.
How are we to live out the phrase, “you are the light of the world” today? We need to shine with His light by virtue of His spirit dwelling in us. We must never forget where the light comes from. It doesn’t come from you. You are not the source of the light. You are merely a mirror, a reflector of the light. You are like the moon. The moon has no light of its own, it merely reflects the light of the sun. In the same way, we have no light of our own, we are to reflect the light of the Son, Jesus. This means that you need to stay close to Jesus in order to reflect His light. You need to read the Bible and meditate on the Word and pray and sing the Lord’s praises. That is the only way to stay close to the Light. That is the only way to reflect the Light!