A Word from Joel - February 11, 2026

“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.” Matthew 5:14-16

There’s a form of Christianity that says the job of the preacher is to cut people down to size. The idea is that humans by nature are so sinful and proud that they need to be told how bad they are before God’s grace can reach them. This has been the dominant form of Christianity in our country and remains its most popular form. Strangely, many people like to be told how bad they are, but Jesus wants to free us from all lies, even the ones that we’ve come to believe and love.

Jesus tells us how God really feels about us, and there’s no ambiguity or conditions. It’s better than you could ever imagine: “You are the light of the world, so let your light shine!” This verse always stops me in my tracks. It feels like too much, as though Jesus is laying it on too thick. I’m much more comfortable with John 8:12, in which Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” If Jesus is the light of the world, then it’s our job to reflect his light. That’s all fine and good, but that’s not what he says in Matthew. He didn’t say, “You reflect the light of the world.” He says, “You are the light of the world.” We don’t merely reflect the light that is outside of us. The divine light also shines within you. You are the light of the world, so let your light shine!

While there is no fire or brimstone in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does warn us not to hide our light. Don’t hide what makes you unique, which is your identity as beloved children of God who see the divine image in ourselves and others. When we know that’s who we are, then we don’t fall for stories that say only some are worthy, while others are disposable. We don’t participate in scapegoating that says all our problems are because of someone else. We don’t fall for that stuff because we believe our teacher who says, “You are the light of the world! Be who God created you to be.”

Rev. Joel Esala