Salt And Light

Salt and Light

Matthew 5: 13 – 16

Intro: Sam was chatting with his friend Ted. He asked Ted whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentine's Day. “Yes,” Ted rapidly replied, “I bought her a belt and a bag.” “That sounds good,” Sam responded. “I hope she will like them. Ted grinned, “Me too. I am hoping now that the vacuum cleaner will work better.” Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 4, 2020 (message contributor)

I Ted was obviously not the brightest light bulb in the pack. The passage for today speaks of both salt and light.

A There are 2 things that go unnoticed in this passage unless you are a Greek scholar.

B The word “you” is rarely used. When that form of the verb is used it the subject “you” is rarely used. Here, it is intentionally used for emphasis / some scholars believe “you” refers back to the subjects of the beatitudes in VS. 3 – 11.

C The second word that goes unnoticed is the verb “are” which is in the present indicative tense. It is not “should be” / “will be” / or “can be”. YOU ARE!

II Jesus says that his disciples and those hearing his words ARE “salt” and “light”.

A Both salt and light are essential for life: salt, for taste; light, for finding one’s way.

B What does it look like to be salt and light for our church, our community, and our world today?

C If you fill a salt shaker and put it on the table and never lift it to use it, what good is it? If you have a lamp plugged in and never turn it on, what good is it?

III Perhaps if we understand the purpose of salt and light and how they are used, we will better comprehend what Jesus meant.

A Salt, if added in the right amount at the right time in the right way, enlivens and enhances the flavors of food. It brings out the flavor and makes them even better.

B Light is a form of energy. It removes darkness, reveals danger, shows the path and illuminates blemishes and beauty.

C Jesus says we are not just light; we are the light of the world. Like the light, we are to work openly not in a closet of “under a bushel” but openly casting the light of Christ in the world.

Concl: A story tells of a man who was responsible to warning trains that bridge down the tracks was washed away. One night a train came, the man showed his lamp but the train went right into the chasm. The man was taken to court where he was forced to testify to the events surrounding the train accident. He was asked, “Were you on duty that night?” The man answered, “Yes.” Did you way your lamp at the train?” The man answered, “Yes.” He was dismissed and not held responsible. After his testimony on his way home with a friend he said, “I’m glad the judge didn’t ask me if my lamp was on.”(Illustration taken from “Salt and Light Witnessing by Jose Marin on SermonCentral.com)

Is your lamp on shining the light of Christ in the world? Does your faith add “flavor” to the lives of others?