In today’s world darkness often feels overwhelming. Our social media and newscasts are full of scare stories pushing a narrative of fear. I’m often surprised when I travel how many people outside my home state of California believe there are roving gangs of armed illegal immigrants in the suburbs killing and robbing indiscriminately. This however is the narrative created to scare people to vote with anti-immigration groups. Pointing out this false narrative is not to dismiss the darkness around us. There is darkness, but it comes from a corrupt political system bought by the wealthy elite. It comes from a corrupt healthcare system that puts profit over human lives. It comes from the gun lobby that tells us that school children being slaughtered in the classroom is the price we pay for freedom. However, the singular loss of life of a rich, profiteering CEO of a healthcare company cannot be tolerated.
We as followers of Jesus are children of the light. The call to be a light resonates profoundly in individual hearts. It resonates because we were created in the image of God. Unfortunately, in American Christianity, it doesn’t seem to resonate in our communities. The American Christian community has broken down. The unholy marriage of political parties and the Church has driven many people out of the community of believers. Americans see their “Faith” as an individual practice and don’t see how their individual actions reflect on the entire community of Christians. Yet, we are called as a community to be the light of the world. The American church should be a light set to shine forth, instead it is a light that has been driven underground by those who wear the label of Christian and have replaced Jesus with political leaders.
Matthew 5:14-16 states, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” These verses, often quoted in Christian contexts, have deep roots in Jewish tradition and provide a compelling call to action for us all. To fully grasp the significance of these verses, we must delve into the rich tapestry of Jewish thought.
Light in the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh) is often symbolic of God’s presence, guidance, and revelation. For instance, in Genesis 1:3, God proclaims, “Let there be light,” illuminating not only the physical world but also establishing a metaphor for wisdom, knowledge, and moral clarity. In Jewish tradition, the concept of being a ‘light’ is not merely individualistic; it forms a communal responsibility. The Jewish people have viewed themselves as “a light unto the nations” (Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 60:1-7), a beacon to guide others towards righteousness. This collective calling emphasizes that individual actions contribute to the authenticity and credibility of the community’s moral and spiritual legacy. Americans have rejected Jesus’ teaching on righteousness as too “Woke.”
Jesus’ definitive teaching on righteousness appears in Matthew chapter twenty-five.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
The idea of welcoming the stranger (Refugees), feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, or taking care of the sick has been propagandized into a “Woke, liberal, socialist, agenda.” The church has abandoned its call to righteousness and aligned itself with the wealthy and politically powerful. The Church has sacrificed being the light to create a Christian nation with the power of the sword. Unfortunately, this supposed Christian nation looks nothing like Christ.
Matthew’s metaphor of lighting a lamp and placing it in a prominent location speaks volumes about visibility and accessibility. In ancient Jewish culture, homes were often simple, with one main area where the family gathered. A lamp placed on a stand illuminated the space and brought warmth and safety. When we consider this image, it is a stark reminder of the necessity for our actions to be visible, should they serve their purpose effectively. Few people who wear the label Evangelical, participate in community. In 2022, 33% of evangelicals never attended church, up from 25% before the pandemic. The number of evangelicals who attend regularly also decreased from 26% to 24%. What is left of the Evangelical community is a group of people who openly campaign for political candidates in church services, boycott every company that calls out their privileged status claiming persecution, and make a great outward show of their false piety through clothing and bumper stickers.
The first century disciples of Jesus would have understood the light metaphor through Jewish traditions, personal and community actions are often driven by values such as Tikkun Olam—repairing the world. When these good deeds are neglected, the opportunity to inspire others is lost. For example, consider a church that regularly engages in community service yet does so in obscurity. The impact of their work does not only benefit those in need; it also strengthens the community and invites others to join in the mission. Their efforts are not flashy, but they can be seen by every person they serve. They illuminate the path of righteousness for others.
The latter part of the passage encourages believers to let their light shine so that others may see their good works and glorify God. This perspective aligns closely with the value of communal honor in Jewish teachings; our actions reflect not only on ourselves but also on our families, communities, and God. What do the actions of American Evangelicals reflect to outsiders?
A powerful illustration of letting your light shine can be seen in the story of Rabbi Israel Salanter, the founder of the Musar movement in 19th-century Lithuania. Rabbi Salanter was known for exemplifying ethical behavior and encouraging those around him to live morally upright lives. His famous visit to a food market, where he treated every vendor with kindness and respect, was a shining example of letting your light shine. As others witnessed his behavior, many were inspired to adopt the same standards, creating a ripple effect that elevated the community’s ethical commitment.
I’m sad to say that I see many who wear the label of Christian acting rude, disrespectfully, and downright mean to waiters, cashiers, and every type of person in the service industry. This kind of behavior is not Christ like and diminishes the light of the Church. As we reflect on Matthew 5:14-16 it becomes clear that the call to let our light shine is a crucial and urgent one.
Here are three actionable steps we can take:
Be Intentional About Your Actions: Identify areas in your life where you can live your values openly. Whether it’s volunteering, advocating for social justice, or simply being kind to others, strive to make your good deeds known in your community.
Engage in Community and Collaboration: Join with others to amplify your light. Form or join groups focused on community service, environmental stewardship, or education. Working together enhances the visibility of your efforts and maximizes impact.
Share Your Story: Personal testimonies can touch lives. Whether through social media, community gatherings, or church services, sharing how you live out your values can inspire others to follow suit.
Matthew 5:14-16 challenges us to embrace our identities as lights in a world that desperately needs illumination. With a strong foundation in the original Jewish context that first century readers understood, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to shine brightly, reflecting God’s love and goodness. Let our good works be catalysts for change and inspiration for others. As we step forward, may we always remember that we are not just shining lights; we are a constellation guiding others home.
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