The Light of God & The City on a Hill

 

Sermon preached by Dn. James Wilcox on Sunday, July 14, 2024

Titus 3:8-15; Matt. 5:14-19

In today’s Gospel reading we are introduced to a phrase that is likely familiar to most of us. The “City on a Hill.” If we examine this Scripture passage in it’s context, we learn that this phrase is part of Jesus’ broader narrative surrounding the Sermon on the Mount where He states:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted…
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

And so continue the beatitudes until we come to verse fourteen where Jesus tells the surrounding crowd

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (1 John 4:7-8 (NRSV))

Jesus tells us that we ARE God’s light, and that the light of God which exists within us forms the true “city on a hill.” A city on a hill cannot be contained because the very light of the divine, burns so brightly within. People of this nature are marked as blessed peacemakers, merciful, pure in heart, and in fact, children of the living God. And as children of God, our good works flow out of divine love. As St John the Evangelist Reminds us: “…love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love” God’s divine light does not flow from moral superiority, or self-preservation. As Christians, we love radically! We love our enemies and never wish never wish them harm. We pray for those who persecute us! This is what makes us shine as a city set upon a hill! For who else would dare to pray for their enemies? We always seek to emulate the example of Jesus Christ — who never lifted a finger against those who put him to death — who gave himself up voluntarily on behalf of all people. Self-sacrificial love is our way forward as children of God.