You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ^[1]

~Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16)

Jesus’ disciples are not only “the salt of the earth” but also “the light of the world.” The light metaphor continues the salt metaphor and takes it one step further to illustrate Jesus’ point of our faith at work. “Light” is an important theme in Scripture, normally emphasizing the removal of darkness in the unfolding of biblical history and theology.

This is very powerful for how we work out our faith at work. The literal contrast between physical light and darkness provokes a profound metaphorical contrast between metaphysical good and evil. Jesus later declares that he is “the light of the world”, who has come as the light that enlightens all our co-workers, so that those believing in him will no longer be in darkness.

Jesus continues the proverbial “impossible” language he used in the salt metaphor by stating that “a city on a hill cannot be hidden,” and “neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.” We are to be a light to the world which means we are to be a light at work. Our faith should drive out the darkness of sin at work.

Jesus’ disciples are called to be the light of the workplace. They cannot be hidden, for their very nature, the kingdom life within them, is living testimony to those co-workers in the workplace who do not yet have that light.

• Their good works are produced by the light and life that come from God.
• It is not of their own making, because those who see them in action will glorify not them but their “Father in heaven”.
• The title “Father” is used in Matthew here for the first time, introducing the special relationship that exists between God and Jesus’ disciples.

Jesus’ disciples possess kingdom life at work, which produces good deeds from a changed life. Bearing the light of the good news in both message and life will bring people to know that the kingdom of heaven truly is in the place of work, and they will glorify their heavenly Father. The Jesus Manifesto principles hinted at this direction, but the metaphors of salt and light are the first explicit sign that the presence of the kingdom produces changed lives.

Source: Wilkins, M. J. (2004). Matthew (pp. 214–216). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

^[1] New American Standard Bible. (2020). (Mt 5:14–16). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.