“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
City on a Hill
Port Arthur, Ontario officially became a city in April 1907. It had been founded following Canadian Confederation when Simon James Dawson was appointed to construct a road from Lake Superior to the Red River Colony in what is now Manitoba. Dawson chose a point on Lake Superior to store his supplies and named the place Prince Arthur’s Landing. Port Arthur, nicknamed the Hill City, became a part of the new city of Thunder Bay on January 1, 1970.
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In Jesus’ day, the hills around the Sea of Galilee were dotted with little fishing villages and the major town of Tiberius. From the lake at night, you would see the lights of each town, village and home shimmering. It was a warm and beautiful site. Jesus often taught His followers from those hills and so used what the people were used to seeing to teach principles of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 5:14-16 he taught, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Like the hilltop lights around the Sea of Galilee, we are called to sparkle with the love of Jesus in a dark world. We do that by loving others, and by telling them about the love of Jesus. We do that by living by Kingdom of God principles. Don’t hide the light of Jesus from others in your life.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley