Message/Devotion
February 9, 2020
Matthew 5:13-20
You Are Called to Be the Salt of the Earth and Light the Light of the World
The Reading
Believers Are Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Christ Fulfills the Law
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one [a]jot or one [b]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
The Message
I put salt on just about everything that I eat. I like salt on my eggs, all vegetables, most fruit – especially apples and grapefruit, and all meat. I like salt.
My father used to say that a pig will eat anything unless it is too salty. Yes, I am like that pig, if it is too salty I can’t eat it.
Jesus says in our reading that we are the salt of the earth. What does He mean? Let’s break that down into three specific and known characteristics of salt.
1. Salt has always been a means of purification. The most pronounced example that I find in the bible for salt being a purifying agent is found in the Book of Ezekiel. New-born babies were rubbed in salt at birth to purify their bodies. In Kings 2:20, we read that Elisha pours a bowl of salt into a contaminated spring or well, which was immediately purified for safe drinking.
16 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem: “Your [a]birth and your nativity are from the land of Canaan; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. 4 As for your nativity, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you; you were not rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling clothes. Ezekiel 16:1-4
20 And he said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So, they brought it to him. 21 Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘I have [a]healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ” 22 So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke. 2 Kings 2-20
Purifying with salt is not just an ancient use. Modern day water purification is often done by using salt. See article from: https://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/water-treatment-system-uses-salt-and-electricity-provide-clean-drinking-water.html
“portable water treatment device, made from ordinary materials, that could quickly treat large quantities of water. The answer came from a very basic process, electrolysis, which uses just table salt and the electricity provided by a car battery to produce chlorine gas for disinfecting water.
At the request of WaterStep, a nonprofit working to provide clean water to people in 26 developing countries around the world, GE engineers Steve Froelicher and Sam DuPlessis, along with other volunteers, began developing a water treatment system in his garage. After a year and a number of prototypes, Froelicher and his team had developed a workable design:
"The device fits inside a 10-inch PVC cylinder with two plastic tubes attached at the top. It strips chlorine from saltwater by applying battery voltage across a circular membrane, a process called electrolysis. The chlorine bubbles off one of the electrodes and floats to the top where the device captures it and mixes it with contaminated water. The chlorine begins to oxidize organic matter and kills the pathogens in the water. The water is usually safe to drink two hours after chlorination." -
NOW – how are we called to be a purifying agent as “Salt of the Earth”? Well, think about it. The one major means that I see is to be a living example. Christianity and Christians are judged by what others see. If they see hypocrisy, chances are they will not be moved to make any changes in their lives. If others see LOVE, HOPE, JOY and PEACE – they will see Jesus and want more.
Let’s get something straight right here: Just because a person is not a Christian doesn’t mean they are a bad people. It means their salvation is at stake.
Sharing the gospel truth is about winning souls. Purifying has more to do with helping overcome destructive behavior. Christian witness is best served in a passive manner by example. Does that make sense to you?
2. Salt has always been used as an agent for preserving foodstuffs. Salt cured ham and salted Cod Fish immediately come to mind. I’m sure you can think of many more.
As preservation agents, we as the Salt of the Earth accomplish much by inviting and including new believers to church, bible study and by one on one discipling.
3. I opened the message by alluding to salt as a flavoring agent. Bless her heart, Edna was raised in England and salt was never used at the table and rarely in cooking. That’s a bit of adjusting being married to an old southern boy that grew up putting salt on everything.
If there is anything to be lacking in this message, I hope it isn’t in understanding ourselves as a flavoring agent. What do I mean by that? We must use caution in questioning or challenging anything from the pulpit outside of a private one-on-one conversation with the pastor. Even then, any criticism should always be shared with love and from a humble spirit.
Beyond that, we can all endeavor to witness and share in a very amicable manner. The last thing that we want to do is to be even slightly forceful or pushy.
I’ll close this message with an admonition that I always share on this subject. I like to compare using salt on our foodstuffs to the type of entertainment that we enjoy. If we begin using too much salt on our food, it becomes unhealthy and can lead to health complications. If we begin subjecting ourselves to reading and television which includes profanity, x-rated viewing, strong sexual content and the like (you get the picture) The next thing you know, your taste in entertainment begins to savor and seek TOO MUCH SALTY FLAVORING. Too much salt in our entertainment is certain to influence our thinking and our behavior. You know it and I know it. NUFF SAID!
Now what about that LIGHT of the WORLD? I think we all understand that darkness can represent hindrance as in having to plod carefully when travelling in the dark. Certainly, we understand that to live in darkness is to live in sin. If we are to be the light of the world, we are to be the light that allows others to move safely through times of darkness and being the light that dispels the darkness of sin. Now how do we do that?
Again, by living in such a manner that others see definite joy in all circumstances and aspects of our lives. I have heard so many times through the years from people who were drawn to seek more of God simply by seeing a certain peace in Christians, especially witnessing them going through trials of life that are harsh and painful.
Likewise, when we extend ourselves to reach out and help others in their struggles, we are shedding the light of the gospel that says help the poor, the sick, the widows and the lost.
There is very little that can compare to talking to someone who is lost in sin and deep in darkness and leading them in truth right to and through a prayer of salvation. That is being a brilliant glowing light to bring another out of the dark.
Let’s all stand, hold hands and pray together. Going forward, let’s keep our emphasis on FOLLOWING JESUS and seeking the character of true righteousness!
Heavenly Father, thank you for this evening’s service and message. May we be encouraged to be the true Salt of the Earth and Light of the World and live out our FAITH in a manner worthy of our Christian heritage and the gospel of your Son Jesus the Christ. May we be the purifying, preserving and flavoring that your Word teaches us and encourages us to be. May we be the Light of the World that shines so brightly in the darkest places around us that draws many out of darkness and into your kingdom. In JESUS’ name we pray. AMEN
We love and serve God by loving and serving each other – EVERY each other.
Let us now go forth loving and serving God by loving and serving each other – EVERY each other.
I humbly and sincerely ask for your prayers!
-----------------------
For readers: If you would like to join our electronic subscription to Intercessory Prayers and Weekly Messages please forward your email address to: info@pastorhoward.com.
