Jesus proclaimed the coming of God’s kingdom (Matthew 4.17). This kingdom would be a unique community formed by his followers.
Unlike anything the world had ever seen, these followers would be like salt, seasoning and preserving society, and like light, guiding people safely through the world’s darkness.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5.13-16).
When Jesus called his followers to be “salt and light,” he was giving them a mission: to glorify our Father in Heaven. But how do we achieve this glorification?
Just as the moon doesn’t generate its own light but reflects the sun’s brilliance, we don’t create our own goodness. Instead, we reflect God’s character back to the world.
The Gospel of Matthew depicts the life of Jesus, who perfectly reflected the Father’s glory to the world. He accomplished this through his actions, attitudes, and teachings.
The Sermon on the Mount contains his teachings, while his actions and attitudes are demonstrated throughout the Gospel.
A Salt and Light Story
I served a small church in the poorest section of a county-seat town in Louisiana during the 1970s. One day, a lady’s daughter came to see me and asked if I would baptize her mother. Her mother had what we found out later was cancer, and the Lord had miraculously healed her.
After her baptism, she became a shining light of God’s grace.
She glowed with God’s love. This quiet Hispanic lady was giving beyond anything I could imagine. She was willing to help anyone who came her way. She loved her family, her neighbors, and most of all, she loved Jesus.
I wish I could capture in words how she touched the lives of people, loving the One who had saved her life physically and spiritually, and giving back to Him as salt and light in our community.
She had a very hard life, both before and after her experience with Jesus. As long as I knew her, all I saw was a gentle, loving, kind, and helpful spirit.
Imagine eating food with no salt – it’s bland and unappetizing, right? Now picture navigating a dark house barefoot – ouch! Your toes would surely find furniture to stub against.
We should strive to be like the remarkable woman I knew in Louisiana – someone who embodied the qualities of salt and light.
Let’s strive for a character like Jesus, that is filled with goodness and a radiant spirit. Let’s be those who guide others with the light of the Holy Spirit toward the right path.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 