“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:14-16
Minor note that all these pronouns and subjects of verbs are plural. Makes sense since Jesus is talking to group of disciples. Cities built on hills for multiple reasons (e.g., defense in battle). At night, it would shine for miles cause all the lights were lit.
In same way: “Your” is still plural. Yes, it takes individuals make obedient efforts, but the light shines brighter as the group functions together.
Logic of passage seems to equate good deeds with light. Seeing light and seeing deeds seems to be same thing. People see light in darkness and honor God…not the ones doing good deeds.
Use opportunities/situations of need or chaos to (1) work together to provide goodness and rightness and (2) point others to the God of goodness and rightness. In this passage, the doing precedes the pointing.
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