"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."
Matthew 5:14
We are indeed cities on hills whose lights shine forth into the darkness. A city on a hill can be seen for miles in the darkness of night. The lost man, sifting through the blackness, spies the light from afar and his heart is lifted; he has hope. He does not know what awaits him in the city but he knows he wants to escape the darkness. Welcome this sojourner. You have just won a soul for Christ's kingdom! This then is how our light should shine: bright and vibrant, without shame and piercing into the night. Let those who are lost see it and run to it for safety. Let the light of Christ shine out of our city gates and call to the hearts of the lost.
But be wary, O city on a hill, for just as the wandering soul can see you, so can the roaming bands of robbers and thieves. The enemy spies your city and seeks to pillage. He would steal our heavenly treasures and extinguish our lamps. Take heart! For the very thing that allows you to be seen from so far off is the very thing that helps in the time of defense. You sit atop a hill. Cities were built on hills because it is far easier to defend from higher ground. You will still have to fight, be sure of this; your armor need not rust nor was it made in vain (Ephesians 6:10-18). But your fight will be easier. This is no ordinary hill: this hill is called Calvary and on it was won the war. Christ's blood soaks the ground; it is poison to the enemy and strength to the ally. Dip your arrows in it and whet your sword. Paint your face for battle and, above all else, fuel your lamps with this oil that your light may shine into eternity.
But be wary, O city on a hill, for just as the wandering soul can see you, so can the roaming bands of robbers and thieves. The enemy spies your city and seeks to pillage. He would steal our heavenly treasures and extinguish our lamps. Take heart! For the very thing that allows you to be seen from so far off is the very thing that helps in the time of defense. You sit atop a hill. Cities were built on hills because it is far easier to defend from higher ground. You will still have to fight, be sure of this; your armor need not rust nor was it made in vain (Ephesians 6:10-18). But your fight will be easier. This is no ordinary hill: this hill is called Calvary and on it was won the war. Christ's blood soaks the ground; it is poison to the enemy and strength to the ally. Dip your arrows in it and whet your sword. Paint your face for battle and, above all else, fuel your lamps with this oil that your light may shine into eternity.
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