My two sons and I were in Boy Scouts together when we lived in Kansas City. I was the troop chaplain and an assistant Scout master. One of the trips we took was to south Missouri to go caving. Once the tents were set up, we donned our hard hats, head lamps and gloves and journeyed into the darkness. Our lights were absolutely necessary in order to see our way around once inside. Without light, we couldn’t see the hand in front of our face. Having light showed us the path to walk. Without, we’d plunge into the water or down the slippery rocks. With the light, everything was illuminated.
Jesus calls us to be certain things as his disciples and followers. He does so at the front end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:13-16. Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Jesus’ audience knew the value of salt. Behind the sun and water, it was a most important commodity to survival. Some scholars believe that early Roman army personnel in remote posts were paid with salt. The Latin word, Salarium (salt money), is where we get our English word, “Salary”. You’ve heard the phrase, “He isn’t worth his salt.”
Today, a salt of the earth person is a really good person. Jesus is saying, “You were a bad person because of sin who has been transformed by a good God so now you will be an influencer for Jesus.” See salt preserves and purifies. Salt living also creates thirst. A dark world sees your life and Jesus and craves the good life you have. Salt living melts hard hearts. Like salt on top of ice while making ice cream, salt living melts difficult hearts.
Jesus is saying you can be that influencer who effects people who’ve been hurt by the world or religion or others.
But Jesus also calls us to let our light shine for others. In Jesus’ day, small clay pitchers were filled with oil then lit at the mouth of that pitcher to create a lamp. If it was windy, you might put a wicker basket over it so the flame would not be snuffed out. Inside the house though, you’d had several lamps around without any baskets over them so the whole house would be well lit.
Jesus is telling us disciples, don’t hide your light. Be light for a dark world. Don’t cover up your light as a follower. Let your light shine so that others living in darkness know where to go…where to step.
So in your office space, be the kind of employee who has great work ethic and who’s the kind of coworker others trust and go to for leadership. In your home, be the kind of house on your block that all the kids come to…the house all the other parents respect and trust with their kids. In your family, be the spiritual leader who is showing your kids how to pray and daily being in God’s Word. At your church, don’t just be a consumer, be a follower who is actively involved in serving others. In your neighborhood, be the neighbor is offering to help where ever you can.
Jesus called us to be salt and light. This world is full of darkness and so many are exhausted and tired of groping around in the darkness. Help others see the light of Jesus and the better way of living that is available to everyone who follows him. Blessings on your journey.