Jesus said, “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. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)
Chapter 5 of Matthew's gospel starts with beatitudes, that is also known as the sermon on the mount. Jesus Goes on to teaching about how the beatitudes will lead us to become influencers by becoming salt and light to the world. These are called 'similitudes' that follow the 'beatitudes'. The word 'similitude' comes from the word ‘similar’, meaning the state of being of similar to something. Beatitudes show the character - be poor in spirit, be meek in heart, have hunger for righteousness, be peace makers etc. Similitudes show the influence, a function that follows - we will become salt and the light to the world when we follow the beatitudes. If we put beatitudes together with similitudes, we can see that "out of our character emerges influence".
Every person makes an influence on the people and the environment around them. It is said, "a man is not an island." People who have lived and died years and centuries ago still influence the world. Our influence can be direct or indirect; visible or invisible. Salt may not be visible but influences anywhere it is present. The early church was greatly shaped by the sermon on the mount when Jesus said, "you are the salt of the world." The people at the time knew the function of salt very well. Salt was highly valued and its production was legally restricted in ancient times. It was historically used as a method of trade and currency. Historians report that Ceasar's soldiers were paid by means of salt. The word used for that practice is called "salarium". This is the root of the word "salary".
Salt was used as a preservative from very ancient times. Before refrigerators, salt was used to preserve meat. Pickles are made in brine that is salt water which can last for years without decay. Followers of Christ are to be preservatives in a decaying world, where morality and spirituality are deteriorating. Christianity is the salt that preserves humanity from corruption and decay. As long as Christians are remaining, the world will be stopped from diminishing to moral bankruptcy. Jesus continued his teaching in this chapter and talked about murder, adultery, divorce, hatred, anger and retaliation that corrupts the lives of people even today. It will be true to say that the world is prserved only because there is a church that is praying.
Salt also adds flavor to food. “Can flavorless food be eaten without salt?” (Job 6:6). The word “salad” originated from “salt,” and began with the early Romans salting their leafy greens and vegetables. A follower of Christ brings savor and flavor to the world around him or her. A merciful boss can flavor a hurting employee's family situation. A merciful and forgiving spouse can bring flavor to a relationship.
Jesus then said, "You are the light of the world." In this context I would think that this means, that we are not to be just the salt that is invisible, but we also have a mission that is visible. Our mission to go and spread the light in darkness. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings light in a dark world and brings brightness in a life that is dulland gloomy. It is the word of God and the teaching that will bring a corrupt and decayed life into a new creation.
The lamp is lit to light up and to shine from a stand, and not to be placed under a bushel. May the love of Jesus be shown through our actions and the Spirit of Righteousness, stir in us, among us, and through us with an abundance of goodness, truth, and love, that as others will experience.
Blessings
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