The Beauty of Matthew 5:14: City on a Hill

We just moved back to Texas from Colorado. And while it has been a good move, and a blessing to be back near family, we intensely miss our mountains. One of my favorite views up there was actually seen at night. Just a sliver of the outline of the mountain could be seen against a black sky. And the lights from the houses nestled into the mountain would glisten and twinkle giving further evidence of the vastness of the mountain itself. It was such a beautiful sight. I would get lost into those lights. They were not only providing fellowship and warmth for the people in the houses they were shining from, but they were also shining their beauty for distant onlookers.

Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” I love that this verse emphasizes not necessarily the brightness of the light, but the elevation of it. There is such beauty that can come forth, when light is placed in a location with full visibility as well as an appropriate backdrop. 

I think many people read this verse and interpret it in the wrong way. Moreover, I too have sometimes been tempted to take too much pride in myself thinking I have something to offer as “the light of the world.” I know deep down that this light is only from God alone. Somehow I seem to take on the glory for myself too easily. And with the following verses talking about not hiding that light under a lamp shade, I seem to focus too much on just how many people are being able to see “my light.” 

And then there’s the whole part about a city on a hill. Sometimes, we interpret this by saying, “Well, now that I’ve got ‘the light,’ I need to figure out a way to get up on that hillside so that I can really shine!” We begin the work on building our own platform, while believing it is all “for the glory of God.” This is not what this verse is saying. Jesus Himself is the light, and as the chief cornerstone, He is also the platform. By being indwelt by Him, we shine. And by being built upon Him, we are placed in a visible location where others can see His light in us. We are not called to strive to build a following for our own personal recognition.

We are called to be permeated by His presence and placed precisely where He wants us. And both of these are passive. It is Him doing the action and us being on the receiving end. When we embrace the place where He planted us, He will make us that city on a hill. As we grow personally in relationship with Him, He grows in brightness in us. Our climb is in faith not fame. He is our hillside and our light. As we embrace our place in Him, He will display His face in us.