The Sermon on the Mount: A 21-Day Guide to the Greatest Sermon Ever PreachedSample

Light of the World

Who we are determines what we do. Our activity flows from our identity. Yesterday, we learned what it means to be the salt of the earth. Today, we’re looking at who we are as the light of the world.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 NIV

“You are the light of the world …” When Jesus says these words, He is calling us to be what He is. In the previous chapter, Matthew references an Old Testament prophecy Jesus was fulfilling that describes Him as a “great light.”

“… the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16 NIV

John, another Gospel writer, begins his account of Jesus’ life and ministry by saying, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”(John 1:4-5 NIV).

Later on, He records a time that Jesus made the claim even more clearly: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12 NIV).

Jesus is calling us to be what He already is. This is what the journey of discipleship is all about. It’s the process of becoming like Jesus so we can love God and love others the same way Jesus does. And right here, near the beginning of His most famous sermon, He is calling us what He is: the light of the world.

He goes on to say, “... A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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” (Matthew 5:14-15 NIV).

If you decide to build a city on top of a hill, you’re doing it for one really big reason: visibility. If you’re in the city, you want to be able to see anything that might be approaching from miles away. And if you’re looking for the city, you want to be able to spot it from a far distance.

If you light a lamp in a dark room, you do it for one big reason: visibility. You want everyone to be able to see everything in the house. What does this have to do with you? That’s where Jesus goes next.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV

When you commit your life to Jesus, He places His light in you. As a result, like Him, you become the light of the world. And from that point on, your role is to make visible the goodness of God by doing good. When other people see the light of God shining in you, they’re invited to experience the life and forgiveness He offers.

Jesus, never one to do something accidentally, chose not only the words of the Sermon on the Mount carefully but the location as well. Remember that Old Testament prophecy we mentioned earlier? It’s from the Book of Isaiah. Let’s look at all of the intentional ways Jesus fulfilled its words through His Sermon on the Mount:

In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Isaiah 2:2 NIV

Because of Jesus, we have become the new temple and He is calling us to be a city on a hill, a temple on a mountain so that other people will see His light pouring out from us.

Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” …Isaiah 2:3 NIV

People from all over came to the mountain where Jesus was preaching to hear what He had to say so they could become His followers.

… The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:3 NIV

As Jesus continues His sermon, He teaches His audience what the Law of God is really about and what it is meant to do in us.

He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.Isaiah 2:4 NIV

Jesus preached to trade violence for forgiveness and to love even our enemies.

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5 NIV

Jesus concluded His sermon with a challenge: It’s not enough to simply hear what He says—you have to put it into practice.

What did Jesus say?

When we follow Him, we become who He already is: the light of the world that shines in the darkness and points people to the goodness and grace of our Heavenly Father.

What did Jesus do?

Throughout His ministry, Jesus miraculously healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cast out demons, loved the unlovable, lifted the lowly, and cared for the outcasts. Why? Because it is good to do good, and so that people would see His good deeds and believe He is the Son of God who died and rose again to save us from our sins.

How can I apply that to my life today?

Trust who Jesus says you are and live out who He calls you to be. When you do, you’ll see the powerful reality that our activity flows from our identity. When we believe, deep in our bones, that we are the light of the world, then, over time, it will become more and more natural to do good and for the light within us to shine forth. As a result, people will see the light in our lives and recognize the power of God at work.

Today, go out of your way to do good for someone else. After you do, tell them you did it because you believe God wants them to know they are loved. And remember, Jesus is ultimately encouraging us to be salt and light for those who don't yet know the joy of His love. So, step out of your comfort zone. The light you share may be the invitation they're waiting for to follow Jesus themselves.