That Which is Visible, Must Be Hidden

by Tim Willard

"How," asks Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "… do the disciples differ from the heathen? What does it really mean to be a Christian?"[i] He answers this with the word perissos—extraordinary. Used in Matthew 5:47, the word calls for the Christian to go beyond what is expected in the culture. It is a term of differentiation, a term for uncommon living.

To be extraordinary in our faith is like the light that shines before the world—being the city on the hill. Bonhoeffer reminds us that it's not that we have light; we are the light. We are, therefore, visible to the world: fostering communities of love, caring for the widow and orphan, forsaking all to know Him. These and other actions should make us visible.

But the tension is that our light, though it shines for the world to see, isn't directed at the world, per se. It is, rather, reflected as we strive under the weight of glory. This is important because it is easy to sink into an inflated self-piety. We see our own works or status or power and are impressed with how extraordinary (in the worldly sense) we are. We begin patting ourselves on the back for all the great things we are doing for the kingdom and suddenly we are not only visible, but audacious.

"The better righteousness [extraordinary] of the disciples must have a motive which lies beyond self. Of course it has to be visible, but they must take care that it does not become visible simply for the sake of becoming visible."[ii]

So it comes to motive. Why are we being seen? When we attempt to communicate like the world, be cool like the world, use the same devices to become popular, are we being extraordinary? Or, are we merely rising to the world's standard that goes no further than self-glorification?

"That which is visible must also be hidden."[iii] Jesus often spoke of the White Washed Tombs (Pharisees) and their clamoring to be seen or heard in public. The Christ, however, reminds his hearers to be "careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

We must be so centered on Christ that the wake of our light is unknown to us. Our intentions cannot be to gain influence or become great. This only shows the world our own greatness. To be extraordinary means to live in the commonality of the every day. As his disciples, we are to be hidden with regard to our motives, and visible only in the results of our service.

[i] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship. Macmillan Publishing Company, 1963, p69
[ii] Bonhoeffer, p175
[iii] Ibid.