14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Would you light a lamp and then place it in a cupboard? Probably not. It might seem obvious, but Jesus reminds us here that light is supposed to shine.
As disciples of Jesus, we have been entrusted to carry the “light of the world” within us. In this passage, we’re reminded of our responsibility to let our light shine so that others might find the hope and refuge they’re looking for amid the storms of life. Like a lighthouse guiding the boats to the safety of a harbour.
However, we should not forget that the true light that shines from within us is Jesus. After welcoming Him as our Saviour, we actively follow His teachings in the Bible and seek Him through prayer.
By being open in our love for Jesus and sharing the good news, we are letting our light shine. Like a city on a hill seen from miles away, we should be a light that others can see. This is the vision of the Nazareth Hospital – the hospital on the hill – to shine the healing light of Jesus in his hometown.
When other people see our good actions, we set an example for others. But we should never aim to gain personal credit: our purpose is to glorify God instead. Only as we point others to the light of Christ, will they be able to move from darkness to light and glorify our Father in Heaven.
