I am a Jesus pusher!!! “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).This verse is Jesus’ last statement in this section on the “Function of the Kingdom,” making it the final word on the matter. One must view all of these according to the flow of the previous three verses. The key word in the salt and light imagery is “influence.” The nature of these elements will make a difference wherever they appear. The Kingdom people are no different. It is not talent, education, nor connections of the individual that determines the influence. It is the nature of the Kingdom person, the nature of the Spirit of Jesus! The Kingdom person cannot keep from changing his world. One of the vital aspects of the imagery Jesus emphasizes is “visibility.” He adds to the imagery of salt and light the picture of a city on a hill. People must see it; they cannot ignore it. The Kingdom person is confrontational and demands a decision.
There are several ideas contained in our verse; they appear for the first time. There is a strong ATTACHMENT of the Kingdom individual with the visibility. He does not own the light. However, he is so intimately involved in its display He refers to it as “your light,” “your good works,” and “your Father.” This intimate linkage expresses itself in a deep concern for others. It is an expression of the Father’s heart. The connection is not for personal gain or enjoyment but must create AWARENESS; it is for the purpose “that they may see.” In our verse, the demonstration comes through the ATTRACTIVENESS of “your good works.” This individual is a Jesus pusher!!!