Salt and Light
Metaphors are powerful figures of speech.
Jesus used them often, comparing physical things to spiritual realities, so people could better understand truth.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth” ( Matthew 5: 13) and “You are the light of the world” ( verse 14).
These two metaphors describe the influence His followers were to have on the world.
If Christ’s followers are to be salt and light in the world, what can we learn about that? We see:
1 The Problem of the World— Corruption and Darkness When Jesus called His disciples the “Salt of the earth”— it was because the world was corrupted and needed the preservation only He could provide.
When He said they were the “Light of the world,” it was because the world is in moral and spiritual darkness that needs the light of Christ. The world without Christ is corrupt and in darkness.
2. The Plan of the Savior— Salt and Light The world is corrupt— so Jesus calls Christians to be like cleansing, tangy salt.
The world is in darkness— so Jesus calls Christians to be like a bright light, illuminating the moral darkness.
Light emits brightness that causes darkness to flee. The plan of the Savior is for His people, believers in Christ in churches around the world, to affect their world for Him.
3. The Peril of our Failure— No Savor and No Light
If the salt loses its savor, becomes stale, it is useless or “no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men” ( Matthew 5: 13). If the light fails to shine, darkness will prevail. But, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” ( Matthew 5: 14). When light shines, things become visible, but when it is hidden, darkness prevails.
A savorless Christian is still a Christian, but a great loss.
4. The Purpose of our Commitment— to Glorify the Father
When Christians are salty— and their lights are shining— God is glorified! Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” ( Matthew 5: 16).
Good works are always to glorify the Father! With God’s help let’s be salt and light to this sinful and dark world, showing the love and salvation of His Son in all we do!