Be the Light
Jesus calls his disciples to faithfully witness to his transforming power through holy living and worldwide proclamation.
I.Be Salt to a World in Decay (5:13).
A.Don’t lose your purity.
B.Don’t lose your usefulness.
II.Be Light to a World in Darkness (5:14-16).
A.Learn from the example of light on a hill (5:14).
B.Learn from the example of light in a house (5:15-16).
Verses 13-16 should be read in the context of verses 11-12. Citizens of the kingdom are to be witnesses to the world. We should expect that this “witness gives rise to persecution” (Carson, Sermon, 29). Taking a stand for Jesus and his righteousness will not always be applauded. We expect to be reviled and persecuted just like the “prophets who were before” us. We should “be glad and rejoice.” We stand in good company and have a great reward awaiting us in heaven. Is taking a stand and being a witness for Jesus worth it? Our Lord has a clear and resounding answer: “Yes, it is!”
In contrast to those who oppose the work of Christ in the world, God calls kingdom citizens to be two things: salt that purifies and preserves and light that shines and vanquishes the darkness.
A little light makes a big impact in a dark place. Jesus says that when your light shines before others, they will see your good works (think of the Beatitudes of 5:3-12). A righteous life and bold witness is a powerful combination! You cannot ignore it. Again, some will revile you and persecute you (5:11) just as they did the prophets (5:12). Others, however, will be mesmerized by your witness and “give glory to your Father in heaven.” Significantly, they glorify the Father, not us. They attribute to God what they see in the life of the faithful Christian. Followers of Jesus are not the source or origin of these good works but only the conduit, the channel. God gets the glory through my transformed life. My faithful witness to the work of his grace in my life brings him praise. The spotlight is not on us. The spotlight is where it should be: on him.
As you seek to be a light in a dark place, consider the following questions:
1. Does fear of man keep you from shining brightly for Jesus among the nations?
2. Does pride keep you from shining brightly for Jesus among the nations?
3. Does sin keep you from shining brightly for Jesus among the nations?
4. Does comfort keep you from shining brightly for Jesus among the nations?
5. Does peer pressure keep you from shining brightly for Jesus among the nations?
6. Do parental expectations keep you from shining brightly for Jesus among the nations?
7. Do your ambitions and agendas keep you from shining brightly for Jesus among the nations?
Jesus’s words in these verses take it as an undeniable truth that we live in a decadent, decaying, dark world. Where there is decay, we need salt. Where there is darkness, we need light.
Jesus declares of his disciples, “You are the salt of the earth.” “You” is emphatic in the original text. The idea is, “You, and no one else, are the salt of the earth” (Quarles, Sermon, 80). He does not say, “You will be” or “You can be.” You are the salt of the earth. Today, right now, you are salt.
Salt had at least five functions in the ancient world: (1) purity, (2) preservation, (3) flavor, (4) healing, and (5) creation of thirst.