Salt and Light

The Salt and Light passage is one of Jesus' most popular messages. In my lifetime, I've heard many messages about how we are to be the salt and light on the earth. Jesus said it himself while speaking to his disciples in Matthew 5:13-16:

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.

14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. 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 must admit, I've been thinking about this concept and have been feeling quite convicted; but, I was having trouble absorbing this verse. I wasn't understanding it's full meaning, and quite frankly, I don't necessarily enjoy being considered salt. So I asked myself, why would Jesus say this? I mean, it's obvious that we use salt in cooking; it makes bland things taste better. Okay, but salt also makes me bloated when I consume at ton of it. I personally like being called the light much better than the salt, but let's examine this concept further to see what we are missing. Jesus always chose his words carefully, so we must examine them carefully, and try to understand what he truly meant. What is Jesus saying?

So I dug deeper and it turns out, salt isn't just used for seasoning; I learned that salt helps helps fruits and vegetables maintain their coloring. Did you know that you can dip fruits/vegetables in saltwater before cooking, and that helps keep them from turning brown? Some people also use salt as a scrub to exfoliate their skin. Other people use salt for cleaning purposes, to clean and get odors out of clothing, furniture, and other household items. We also use salt to deice our sidewalks here in the Midwest during Winter, and salt is also used for medical purposes. I gurgle warm saltwater when I have a sore throat, or to help relieve a mouth sore. I know many people who use saline drops when they are stuffy or congested, and to help clear sinuses. That lists many purposes of salt; we learned that salt preserves, exfoliates, cleans, deices, and helps with wounds and illnesses. WOW!!! Now can you imagine yourselves as the salt?

As a follower of Christ, and child of God, can you see yourself helping people who need their wounds healed? Do you have people around you who have cold and hard hearts? Maybe God is calling you to deice their heart and tell them about Jesus. Can you pray for people who suffer illnesses? Can you help preserve a fellow brother or sister in Christ who is struggling in their walk? How about adding some flavor to their lives. I know I probably can (you are probably thinking of other purposes for salt, and how else you can be more effective as the salt so kudos to you). Praise GOD that we can do many things as the salt of the earth, but if we lose our flavor or potency, what are we good for? Think about that for a minute, I think this is why I was feeling convicted...

Furthermore, we are also called the light. Uh oh, I can already see those introverted people squirm and sink in their seats. You don't like attention, you don't want to be in the spotlight! I know this, but know that Jesus is also talking to you, regardless of your personality, how shy you are, or how incapable you think you are. Jesus calls us to be bright among those in darkness. Let me give you some more Bible verses, before we move on. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). John 1:5 says, the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Isaiah 9:2 says the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. John 12:46 says I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Are you beginning to see the importance of light? Jesus isn't asking us to show our light; he is telling us to let our light shine. I don't know how I would function without light, do you? How would I get dressed in the morning, or how badly would it affect our land and agriculture? It would cause such a devastating domino effect, which would highly and negatively impact us. Eventually, we would have nothing to eat, and we'd surely be Vitamin D deficient. I've heard of a number of people suffering from Seasonal Depression, who need to occasionally go into a tanning bed or have to eat Vitamin D tablets (you can Google why our bodies need Vitamin D if you want more information), but I believe the root is that we need more of Jesus, I mean, he is the light!!! How many of us are Jesus deficient? If you talk to Jesus three times a year, how would we operate seeing the sun only 3 times a year, nevertheless, see at all. I would probably go mad...so think about all who need Jesus and need us to be the light. Some of us may be the closest person/thing others see of Christ, so it's our duty to display our light and not hide it. If we are shy, it may be something we can do on a one-on-one basis, yet, others just need to pray for boldness and ask God who needs a little more light, and then be obedient and connect with that person. Let's stop making excuses, and acknowledge what Jesus tells us to do. Many are waiting.

Let us pray.

Lord God Almighty,

Thank you for your goodness, and for your light. You are so amazing, exuberant, and bright! Father, I also want to thank you for today's message and for convicting me. Thank you for speaking to me, and for showing us how vital and crucial salt and light is. Thank you that those were the word you gave Jesus to speak, and for allowing us to understand what he meant when he said it. Help us to be the salt and light. Show us people in our lives who need more salt and light in their lives. Make us flavorful and help us to shine. If we are lacking in this area, would you minister to us? Shine your light in our dark places, and bring healing, restoration, preservation, or whatever it is that we need. We know You will provide, and know of our needs even before we ask them. We need more of You Lord! Help us to be bold and take up the call. We love you and thank you for all you are doing. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayerfully,

Pam