Matthew 5:13-16 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.”

Abigail is excited to be with the multitudes hearing Jesus, but she is tired of being tired all of the time. It is a big job taking care of her husband and their four sons. She feels like she is busy from morning to night.

Now Jesus is really talking about something that she can relate to, salt! Here in Capernaum, good salt is hard to come by. The salt from the Dead Sea is prevalent, but it does not taste right. Salt from the ocean has a much better flavor, but it is expensive and hard to get. Abigail will often mix real salt, the salt from the ocean, with the salt from the Dead Sea. When there is not enough real salt, it loses its flavor. It is often best to throw that out and start over again.

Talking about lights: the boys burn an oil lamp for hours almost every night. It is hard to keep enough oil in the house for their lamp. So, when they light the oil lamp, they put it in a prominent place in their home so that it gives light to everyone in the house.

What is Jesus talking about here? Salt and light? Abigail begins to understand how important salt is to life. It provides zest and flavor to their food and hence their lives. Light is important too; they cannot do their evening work without light. So of course, you would not put it under a basket. How foolish!

Abigail begins to understand a few of the lessons that Jesus is teaching here. His followers are to bring zest and flavor to the lives of their neighbors, not just to their own families. She is to be a light before others. Her light is her good works. These good works are to give glory to her Father in heaven. Most importantly, as she cooks with salt every day and works every evening with light, she is to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world every day.

How about you; are you salt and light every day? What can you do today to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world?