Salt and Light

Who are we?

Jesus gives the charge that we disciples are specifically distinct from the rest of the world because of Him!

Matthew 5:11–16 HCSB

“You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

The life on mission for Christ is one of eternal rewards and often accompanying temporary trials.

Insults and false persecution are expected on account of Christ because you’re set apart and you can rejoice in that! You can have assurance that your reward is greater than the trials of this present day.

Being set apart influences those around us and it SHOULD be noticed! You will often be persecuted for being different but Jesus offers an encouragement saying we are the salt of the world!

Salt gives flavor and prevents corruption… Disciples, if they are true to their calling make the EARTH purer and a more palatable place

In those days, Salt was used as a picture for wisdom in both Hebrew and Greek cultures which is why the very word for “losing it’s taste” also means “Foolish”… or Moron in the literal Greek.

If it fails to be distinctive and add flavor or be purifying, it’s worthless!

We are the light to the world. Much like a city skylined on a hill, it can’t hide in the night because there’s LIGHT! When a lamp is lit in a home, it is supposed to give live to all who are in the house. Lighting a lamp and hiding it under a basket would be missing the point altogether.

Sometimes we have done that though haven’t we? We turn on a flashlight and half cover it to not blind people or wake up folks around us. The light is only for us to get around. but imagine if the others weren’t asleep and you had a flashlight? Would you still cover it to only give light for yourself? No! The light is supposed to help all those around us!

Jesus is saying this because He knows how hard it is! Persecution is coming and it would be easier to hide away! But we mustn’t give into that temptation! We must let our light shine before men. Our distinctiveness from the world must be shown SO THAT some might see our good works and give glory to our Heavenly Father!

Some might hate you for your distinctiveness, but others will glorify the Lord because of it.