A LIGHT ON A HILL

 

In Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, we read that Christ said to His disciples and members of His Church: “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) but when speaking to the Nephites, the Book of Mormon records that He said: “ I give unto you to be the light of this people” (3 Nephi 12:14).

The variation is clear, the Saviour was not saying that we are the light just by virtue of having the truth, but that we are commanded to be the light, to light the path for others to see the way to salvation by our example of good works, charitable deeds and Christ-like characters. In other words, by what we have become because we follow the Master of perfection.

This is a tall order considering many of us are struggling to live the Gospel in the first place which depletes our reservoir of self-confidence and fosters self-doubt. Some of us consider we are never good enough for someone else to follow.

One year as I studied the New Testament, I was amazed at the confidence and bravery with which Jesus, over and over, testified of himself as the Son of God and Saviour of the world. One example of this remains with me still.

During His active ministry, Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Jewish feasts, one of which was the Feast of the Tabernacles.

At the close of the first day of this feast, amid ritualist pageantry, while hymns and songs of praise were sung, the blowing trumpets and dancers holding flaming torches in their hands, four of the sons of Levi lighted the four great golden candelabras. Amid the shining light of the temple that was lighting up every court in Jerusalem dispelling the darkness, stood up Jesus and proclaimed: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). (see also The Mortal Messiah 1 by Bruce R. McConkie, p 180)

Imagine the fortitude to stand up and proclaim yourself the Saviour of the world to a people who thought you were possessed of a devil and sought to kill you (John 7:19,20). This he had to testify to the people who expected the Messiah to come as the King of Glory (Isaiah 9:6,7), knowing that they would reject the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:11) who would come first. Was there, however, a better opportunity for Him to proclaim himself as the light of the world?

We might say that it was easy for Jesus, knowing explicitly who He was, to have the confidence to be the ultimate light on a hill, and that we mere mortals, in our weakness cannot be expected to do the same, nevertheless, the mandate stands and to make it easier, here is the key:

“The closer you draw to our Heavenly Father, the more His light and joy will shine from within you. Others will notice that there is something unique and special about you. And they will ask about it” (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Missionary Work: Sharing What Is In Your Heart, General Conference April 2019).

Do you know of anyone who was closer to Heavenly Father than Jesus was? He repeatedly stated He and the Father are one, therefore, if there is light in one, there is light in the other. Those who believed in Christ saw this light in Him…..but this light is not exclusive to the Godhead but to all who would glorify Him that they ‘may be one’ with the Father and the Son (John 17:20,21; 3 Nephi 19:28,29).

Should the stars fall from heaven,

And the sun refuse to give its light;

Should the earth become the darkest night,

You would ever be my only guiding light.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Lord of Light by Chris Brazelton)