Be Salty In A Good Way! 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. 

Though salt is certainly a valuable commodity in our society (especially on a nice steak), it was even more important in Jesus' day.  

"In Jesus’ day, salt was a valued commodity. Roman soldiers were sometimes paid with salt, giving rise to the phrase “worth his salt.” (Guzik)

Jesus said to the disciples, "You are the salt of the earth". Jesus was calling on the disciples to impact the world they lived in.  Salt was important as a preservative to keep the meat from rotting in Jesus' day.  The disciples' lives were meant to be an alternative to a corrupt and rotting world.   Salt also added flavor.  The disciples' lives were an imitation of their master who brougtht hope and joy to everyone he met. 

On the flipside when salt loses it's "saltiness", it is good for nothing.  Though there was a literal way salt could be drained of its important qualities, the reference here is to the disciples lives.  If they stopped living the lives infused with God's grace and love, they would lose their usefulness and effect on the world.  I think this is a good reminder that our lives are not in alignment with our beliefs, we can't hope to have much of a Christian influence in the world around us. In fact we may even push people away from the faith. 

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Similarly Jesus uses the metaphor of light. "The import of this metaphor is, that Christ had appointed his disciples in general, and his apostles and the other ministers of his gospel in particular, to enlighten and reform the world, immersed in ignorance, sin, and misery, by their doctrine and example; and so to direct their feet into the way leading to life and salvation." Benson 

I love the saying, "the light shines greatest in the darkness".  It is great for Christians to gather on Sundays and on other days in the week. Surely the light shines brightly when we praise and worship God corporately. But how much more influence might the light have if we venture into areas where there is no knowledge Christ, or is given over to darkness.  It is easier to stay in the light, but God calls us to step out of our comfort zone.

"Many of the cities of Judea were placed on the summits or sides of mountains, and could be seen from afar. Perhaps Jesus pointed to such a city, and told his disciples that they were like it. Their actions could not be hid. The eyes of the world were upon them." (Barnes)

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. 

As believers, we are to leave lives of comfort and stand up for what God calls us to stand up for. This means we should be intentional about our witness at home, at work and in our neighborhood.  We are the salt and the light, but if we don't get out of the salt shaker we can't have much effect on a fallen world.  Notice too Matthew says that this light will shine on everyone.  God's desire is that all people would be saved, and He has given us the commission to, "Go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS".  

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

I don't believe he is saying we should let our light shine IN ORDER to seen in a prideful way, but that our good deeds would point to God.  He says to "let" your light shine.  You have the light of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, the only question is are you going to let it shine!  Will you allow Jesus to use you for His good purpose? 

Have you lost your saltiness, or are you flavoring and preserving the world God has made and still loves? Where has God called you to shine His light where there is much darkness?  Are you letting Jesus shine through you, or in hiding?