A City on a Hill

Image Credit:http://groggie.deviantart.com/art/City-on-a-Hill-81981466

"You are the light of the world. A city 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

"A city built on hill cannot be hidden". Why is it important that the Lord said this? 

I think that its quite powerful actually. Of course we know that anything that sits on a hill can be seen from every angle (hence it cannot be hidden). Why does the city have to be on a hill? Why couldn't it be a city in the valley?

 The city has to be on the hill because even if the city wanted to hide it cannot, because it is up high. It is above everything else, it is special, it is valuable, and it is admired. A city on a hill is high because its light have to illuminate everything below it. We (Christians) are the city on the hill , because even if we wanted to hide our light from the world we are incapable of doing it, because we are meant to illuminate into the darkness beneath us and light up the world. 

"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". 

When you think about it, all light is up high, but all darkness is all around. Which is more powerful the light that comes from above or the darkness that is all around? 

Think about the light bulbs in your ceiling right now. When it is not on, the room is filled with darkness but when it is on it turns the darkness into light. Now this verse explains why the lamp has be on a stand. Because the lamp that is below cannot provide adequate enough light. If the lamp was sat on the floor per say, it would light up a portion of the room, but it would not take over the darkness like the light bulbs that are up high. 

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." 

Just like the city on a hill, it is our purpose to light up the darkness below us.Those below the city need the light of the city to guide them and to help them see clearly in the darkness. 

Let's pray about it:

Father, 

Thank you for the opportunity to be apart of the light that is Christ. The light that illuminates my soul and spirit. Thank you that when you died for my sins, I was able to become apart of that city on the hill. It is a privilege to shine my light in the darkness. I pray for the grace to shine my light to all that need it. I pray for wisdom to know when to shine my precious light and I pray for peace to rest in the confidence of your light in me. Finally, I pray for courage to not be afraid to shine my light. 

Thank you , In Jesus' name , Amen 

-Chas