Well over a generation, Western societies have been pushing away Christianity from the public sphere. It is not newsworthy any more to report Christian religious symbols are removed from public spaces. Politicians and public officials say their faith is private and personal only. People can no longer speak about religion at work. Proclaiming the gospel of Christ is considered violence and hate speech. The Name of Christ is not heard or invoked any more except as an expletive.

Nevertheless, Jesus says, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?”

Jesus came on earth to proclaim the gospel. A proclamation is not whispering to the ear. It is a public speech so that many people may hear it. That was the purpose of the life of Christ. Christ didn’t remain in a private and personal sphere. On the opposite, He came to be known. He was the revelation of God. Therefore, his gospel is to be public, not in the sense of governance or official but in the sense of communal, open, and shared. Christian faith and teachings are never secretive, esoteric, or exclusive. On the contrary, Christianity is always open and universal to all humanity. It is a lamp or light of the world. It exists to be seen and shared.

Christ, his gospel and Christian faith are essentially public. It is why Christians are called to be salt and light of the world. Christians must bring Christ to the world. And it was the command of Christ as he ascended to heaven. “Go out to the world and proclaim the gospel.” Christ couldn’t be hidden. Neither could Christians.