You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16, NKJV.
Dear God, as we come into Your holy presence our heart’s desire, is not only to attend church on the top of the mountain, but to keep the mountaintop experience, in our hearts, always. This is our prayer, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today, we will stay on the mountain for a while, and consider the mission of God’s church. We will consider why it is situated on the top of a mountain, instead of in the valley. Our verses for today make mention of a hill, not a mountain. However, I am only interested in the concept of elevation for now. Why do we seek heights? The answer to that question would depend on who we were asking. If it is a business, height can be used favorably to advertise a product. That is why blimps are used so successfully, by many businesses. Because they are so high up in the sky, they draw attention, and awaken people’s curiosity.
Have you ever wondered why God chose a mountaintop on which to build His church? I believe His purpose was similar to that of a business. You see, my friend, God is in the soul-saving business. I truly believe that He set His church upon a hill in order to advertise it to all people! Unfortunately, because the temple at Jerusalem was such an extraordinarily beautiful temple, God’s people transferred the importance from the Savior, to the synagogue; from the Master to the marvel; from the Prince of peace to the power of their politics.
The presence of the church in the world was to bring light to a world that was steeped in the darkness of sin. They were set on a mountaintop in order to shed their light to all. They were to be seen by all people. God had chosen the children of Israel as His people to use them to open His house to people of all the world. But the light that had been lit, was put under a basket, instead of on a lampstand.
The non-Jewish nations, who, in times past, were not considered God’s people, could now enter His courts and enter fully, into the worship service. The eunuch, who was considered less than a man, would not be denied entrance, or prohibited to take part in the service. The promise was, “And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant- these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the LORD GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered” (Isaiah 56: 6-8, NRSV, emphasis provided).
God would gather, not only His people who were returning from exile. He would also gather “others.” Others were not only aliens living among them, but those foreigners who were converted, to the LORD. That would include you and me! Isn’t that wonderful?
Let us continue tomorrow.