Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16

Have you ever excitedly grabbed a bag of popcorn, sat down to watch a movie thinking this was going to be a great experience, but then you realize that there is no salt on the popcorn? When you were expecting a savory treat, only to find a bland replacement?

When we eat food, there is nothing worse than expecting one flavor only to be disappointed with another. Flavor is important, especially when the food chosen is expected to be savory and it is not.

Or have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and attempt to cross the room in the dark, but find yourself stumbling all over things that shouldn’t be there? When you turn on the light, you see what you tripped on. With your stubbed toe hurting, you now wish you would have cleaned your room.

Light is important for us to see. Darkness is the absence of light. In the darkness, sight is lost or confused by shadows and fears. Light brings truth and sight.

Jesus knew that these two parables would powerfully teach heavenly truth for all humanity throughout the ages. Salt and Light are two vital parts of our lives. They are needed every day.

Jesus wasn’t just speaking into a vacuum when he used these parables. He was speaking to his followers. He had just shared the Beatitudes, a list of blessings and characteristics of those who truly seek him. Now he begins to share the impact true followers of Christ will have on this world.

Those who follow Christ and reflect Him to the world are the salt of the earth. What do you know about salt? It is seasoning, adding savory flavors to food. It is a preservative, allowing food to last longer. It has also been used medicinally to promote healing.

Consider how a person who is poor in spirit, meek, seeks righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and a peacemaker would impact those around her? She has a proper view of herself, not from social media or cultural trends, but from God’s Word. She has meek attitude, not sharp and entitled, but humble and meek. She always looks for the right thing to do. She is kind to people who don’t deserve it. She doesn’t expect anything in return, and she promotes peace and reconciliation in all things.

Her life would bless all those around her, to put it another way, she would bring heavenly seasoning to life. She would preserve relationships. She would heal others broken and lonely hearts. She would be the salt of the earth.

How could a young man be light in this world? If he is truly following Christ and exemplifying these same qualities than he too would show this world another way. In this dark world, where everyone is out for themselves, prideful, angry, corrupt, impure, and divisive, he would be selfless, humble, peaceful, pure, righteous and promoting reconciliation. Nothing in this life is more powerful than the testimony of God reconciling people to Himself and to each other. Watch this video of godly reconciliation:

Andrew and Jameel went through some hard trials, but ultimately, they surrendered to Christ and Jesus worked in them something beautiful. Do you see how their story is the light of Christ to this dark world?

Three of the Beatitudes I haven’t mentioned yet are perhaps the most powerful opportunities for a Christ follower to be salt and light to the world. Those who mourn, are persecuted, and reviled against. When Christ is your life and you go through these valleys, people will see His reflection on you.

When we mourn the loss of someone close, we don’t mourn as unbelievers who have no hope, for we know the hope of Christ. Some of the most worshipful and joyous occasions I have experienced, though mixed sorrow too, was at the home going of a saint. One who trusted in Christ and lived for His glory, who we can confidently celebrate that they are absent from the body and in the presence of Jesus. That is a far different expression than what the world experiences without Christ. This is an opportunity for you to be salt and light.

We should also mourn over the brokenness and sin in this world. How can we be salt and light today? We see injustice and activism all around us. How can we mourn over the injustice and stand for the truth? How can we be humble, meek and seek peace? How can you be salt and light in your responses?

When you are persecuted or reviled because of your faith in Jesus, you should count it joy that you are worthy to suffer for Christ. Throughout history, the Church has exploded under persecution. When the world tries to silence the Gospel by persecuting the Saints, God empowers the believers through the Holy Spirit to stand strong and shine brightly for His name!

I am thankful that brothers and sisters throughout the ages have recorded the stories of our fellow believers who stood for Christ despite being persecuted. I always remember the story of Polycarp, a disciple of John, who was burnt at the stake. They tried to get him to recant his faith in Jesus or die. He stood at the stake and said, “For 86 years I have served Jesus Christ and he has never abandoned me. How could I curse my blessed king and savior?” When they tried to nail him to the post, he told them there was no need, he didn’t fight the burning but boldly stood there and died for Christ.

It was later said that his story was talked about by all the unbelievers in Rome. Even to this day we remember his boldness as he brought glory to Christ through his death.

Praise God we live in a different time and country and do not have to fear being burnt at the stake for our faith. However, persecution comes in many different forms. How will you respond? Is your first thought to avoid it at all cost, to protect yourself, to back down so that you don’t stand out, or to stand up for Jesus?

If you desire to be the salt and light in this world, then follow Christ, put Him first and reflect His glory all around.