Matthew 5:13-16
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
In the Sermon on the Mount, specifically within Matthew 5, Jesus provides us with two of the most enduring and important metaphors for the Christian life and they are very short...He tells is we are both Salt and Light…When He tells us that we are the "salt of the earth," He is speaking to our ability to preserve what is good and to season the world with a flavor that points back to the Creator...Just as we all work and find ourselves navigating our hours and routines each day, our presence is seen by the lives of those around us—like our families—coworkers, friends and acts as a preservative against the decay of hopelessness and cynicism that often pervades the world...Those around us see us and notice us and see if we are the salt of the world, as we follow Jesus...Salt is humble; it does its work quietly, often disappearing into the dish it seasons until the flavor is transformed from within us...In the same way, we are often reflections of Jesus even when we are not consciously aware of it, simply by the way we carry our burdens an our work with grace or the way we offer a kind word to a stranger...Our deeds and actions are the "seasoning" that makes the Gospel palatable to those who have never tasted the goodness of the LORD...We do not always need to be standing on a soapbox to be salt; sometimes, we are most salty when we are simply being faithful in the small, quiet tasks of stewardship and service...
When Jesus shifts His next metaphor to the Light, He tells us that a city on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl...This Light is not something we generate from within ourselves, but rather a reflection of the True Light of the World, much like the moon reflects the sun during the darkest hours of the night...When you are out on those morning and afternoon errands and routines -or our work, pushing through the day to maintain our daily disciplines, we are exhibiting a Light of perseverance that speaks volumes to those watching your journey through life...You may think when we are just walking or working, running or exercising, or whatever we are doing, we are actually demonstrating the "New Spirit" of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit...Light does not scream to be noticed; it simply exists, and by existing, it displaces the darkness and reveals the Truth of the path ahead...Our actions, whether they are as significant as sharing the Word of the Bible with someone or as simple as working diligently with coworkers or family each day, which serve as beams of Light that help others find their own footing...Even if we do not know it, the consistency of our character acts as a lighthouse for those who are lost in the storms of life, because we are reflecting Jesus as believers...
The beauty of being salt and light "even if we do not know it" lies in the reality that our new nature in Christ naturally overflows into our conduct...When we are rooted in the teachings of John 14 and the Sermon on the Mount, our "deeds" become the fruit of our faith rather than a performance for others to see...You might be going about your day, dealing with the heaviness in mind and the grind of daily work at your job, yet your patience in that struggle is a reflection of Jesus’ Own Endurance...People observe how we handle the "overcast" days and the "sunny" days alike, and they see a steady spirit that is not easily shaken by external circumstances...This is the essence of being a reflection of Him; it is the subconscious radiation of His peace and His LOVE through the vessel of our lives...We are often the only Bible some people will ever read, and our daily actions and deeds and even our reactions to things, and the way we love our families, the way we work, the way we exercise—become the living text of the Gospel for those watching...
Ultimately, being Salt and Light is about being distinct...Salt that has lost its saltiness is of no use, and a light that is covered provides no direction...By staying committed to our daily bible thoughts and also our physical goals, we are keeping our "flavor" sharp and our "flames" bright...We are reflecting the character of Jesus by being a person of integrity, someone whose "yes" is "yes" and whose life is built upon the Solid Rock of His commands...Even when our work gets tiring and the road is long, remember that you are carrying a divine influence that seasons the earth and illuminates the way home for others...Our deeds are not just tasks; they are testimonies of a heart that has been touched by the Master...As we continue to strive for more in our lives to reflect Him- in all areas of your life, know that the light you carry is reaching further than we can imagine, touching lives you may never meet this side of heaven...We are His reflections, shining in the daily sun, proving that His Grace is sufficient for every mile of the journey...