A couple Sundays ago, we discussed a question about the Sermon on the Mount – how on one hand, Matthew 5 says you’re supposed to “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,” BUT Matthew 6 says “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.” This week, Skye Jethani shared a GENIUS perspective on that debate on his devotional. So fitting that we’re on the same page, considering he’s also going to be SPEAKING AT NEWSONG THIS SUNDAY!!! Get ready for more BRILLIANT insights from one of our favorite guest speakers, and check out his thoughts below:
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There is a conundrum in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus calls his followers the “light of the world.” The whole purpose of a light is to provide illumination. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, Jesus said, and no one lights a lamp and then covers it. So, he commands us to, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
This appears to be a call to perceptible piety—a form of religious expression that is on display for others to see. However, later in the sermon Jesus appears to say precisely the opposite. He instructs us to do our giving in secret (Matthew 6:4), to pray in private (Matthew 6:6), and to not draw any attention to ourselves when fasting (Matthew 6:16). How do we reconcile these seemingly contradictory calls to a public and private piety?
First, we must recognize the importance of intent. Jesus rebuked the way the Pharisees gave, prayed, and fasted because it was clear they were seeking the approval of people. Jesus, on the other hand, calls us to “let our light shine” as a way to bring glory to God and not ourselves. We must be aware of our motives when discerning whether an act should be done secretly or openly.
Second, the acts Jesus said should remain hidden (giving, prayer, fasting) are practices of personal devotion to God. My neighbor does not benefit from my fasting, and while the poor may benefit from almsgiving this was also viewed primarily as an act of piety toward God in ancient Israel. The “good works” that Jesus compares to the preservative power of salt and the illumination of light, on the other hand, are useful things that bless others.
So, we are left with these guides. If the act is for my benefit or will result in my glory, it should remain hidden. If the act is for the benefit of others and for God’s glory we should not hide it.
