Matthew 5:13-20
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:13-20
As I read the description Matthew provides of Jesus’ teaching in this text I always have to question my thoughts, actions, and mindset. The imagery Christ uses in describing His true followers is challenging but helpful. It only makes sense that if a person is of salt they bring flavor or if they emit light then darkness changes in their presence.
I write today with struggling thoughts of some. Some who over the course of my own life I have witnessed make proclamations that now due to sinful consequences bring not salt and light to life but the opposite. As I think about others I come back to myself. I am just as guilty of sin and fault as anyone. In the past I have and even now do not always bring salt and light into every situation. This is why I am so glad Jesus does not stop in verse 16. As Matthew records Jesus goes on to reveal that He is fulfillment of the non salted. In other words if a person recognizes their need for Christ and chooses His work then their darkness and salt-less-ness can become life in Him.
I challenge you today to consider where your life is more characterized by dark than light. Consider where your life might leave bitter in its wake as opposed to salt. In doing so encouragingly seek Christ’s provision, guidance, and challenge in these and all areas of life.
