I read all about the activities center they built for the youth of the city. For example, I would have loved to have known Larry and Gladys Hunter. My seat is in the nosebleed section of the concert hall. Who have you known that fits this description вЂ¦ whose life gave light and hope to others? When it comes to the city of Minden, IвЂ™m a Johnny-come-lately. ThatвЂ™s the image Jesus would have us live by: Individuals willing to stand up for whatвЂ™s right, to speak out for what is just and true to live on a higher plane, a cut above the masses. Little wonder, when Jesus reached for an image to make his point, he went back to what he knew best: A city set on a hill that could not be hidden. On the way to work, and on the way home, theyвЂ™re able to see the torches lighting the streets and homes of Sepphoris. At sunset, they store their tools, clean up, and walk home, again in the dark. The two get up early each morning and walk to the job site, getting there before sunrise. So, hereвЂ™s the deal: LetвЂ™s say Joseph has a steady job in Sepphoris, and Jesus is his apprentice. Nor would they have wanted to live there, among Gentiles. More importantly, it was a Roman city, and they wouldnвЂ™t have been welcome. For one thing, Sepphoris was a wealthy city, and they wouldnвЂ™t have been able to afford it. And, if Jesus were twelve years old or older, he would have served as his fatherвЂ™s apprentice.Д«ut the family wouldnвЂ™t have lived there. Since Joseph was a craftsman, itвЂ™s reasonable to assume that he wouldвЂ™ve sought work in Sepphoris. Sepphoris was located about three miles from Nazareth. If you were a laborer or craftsman, Sepphoris was the place to be. As such, it was the most extensive building project of the day. It was the new and emerging capital of Herod Antipas.

In his days, that city would most likely have been Sepphoris.

ItвЂ™s interesting that, in todayвЂ™s text, Jesus first referred to a city on hill that could not be hidden. Of course, we also know what Jesus said in the eighth chapter of the Gospel of John: вЂњI am the light of the world.вЂќ (John 8:5) Well, put these two together, and you have the thesis for the sermon this morning: As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to let the light of Christ shine through us. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket,Д«ut on a stand and it shines to all who are in the house.Д®ven so, let your light shine before men ДЄnd glorify your Father who is in heaven.вЂќ When вЂњPapa Mack,вЂќ as the children call him, asked me to do the childrenвЂ™s sermon this morning, of course, I said, вЂњYes!вЂќ And when he told me what he had in mind, I knew that this passage from the Sermon on the Mount would have to be my text:ДЄ city located on a hill canвЂ™t be hidden.

This little light of mine let it shine