Words'nTone

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

Although time for a detailed and indepth exegesis of Matthew 5:14 is unavailable to me, at a recent service I heard the preacher refer to this particular text—in fact made a strong point for us to read along with him—provoking me to rethink something about this text. The preacher’s words were a summary of his message and turning to this text made comments about the light and the city that gave me pause. He referred to the light-glow of the city that is warm and inviting, something that calls us to forsake our comfortable and older ways for the new and warm and caring light of the city so that we, too, may be that city light. Poetical. Sure. Nice words. Of course. Perhaps even inviting. But not actually grounded in either the text or the imagery Jesus is utilizing.  The imagery he drew from the words of Matthew fit his intended meaning and sermonic point--not the text’s (or matthew’s).

First, when Jesus says in Matthew 5 we (the Christian community) are the “light of the world,” whatever it means it also includes its juxtaposed meaning to that “city set on a hill.” So what kind of light are we? Well, we are city-light. Sounds simple and actually a fair reading of the text here.

Second, what is that city on a hill? For sure the city is Jerusalem, for how could any good Israelite not hear the words and think of the city that is indeed set on a hill right there in their experience and geography—Jerusalem. Of course there is the Old Testament connotation that Isaiah sets forth that God intended to restore His people so that they would be a “light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6). So there is certainly a missional character to this city imagery, something active and not passive. But what is a city? Certainly the reference is not to a village or a suburban track outside the city-limits. The Christian community (and please, not an individualistic interpretation where each Christian is a city) is a light reflected as a city. The hustler and bussel of commerce and active streets, often messy and seemingly unorganized, where people flow in and out to find their needs and sustenance met. Certainly there is the imagery of protection—for cities were walled at that time. In fact it was the wealth of the city and the strength of the city that offered protection to the surrounding metropolitan areas. Instead, now we have those who escape the city and rob the city of its human capital and sustaining resources—in the suburbs.

So I found it ironic that we, at that service and mostly suburbanites, were being called to total commitment to the Lordship of Christ, but nothing was mentioned of repentance of a suburban life in exchange for one characterized by the “light of the city.” You are the light of the world, a suburban escape from the city which is set off, isolated from the city. It would be worth thinking about, namely how those living in the suburbs hear this text, and certainly how those affected by “affluenza” (i.e., affluence) respond to Jesus’ call to be a city set on a hill. How do those who are a Christian community set outside the city be a biblical city-light to the world?

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