1st May 2026
Salt and light
“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…”
Matthew 5:13-14 (ESV)
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most memorable passages of Jesus’s teaching, even for those who are not practising Christians. In it we are introduced to some of the deepest and most challenging concepts of Jesus’s ministry: the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-11); loving our enemies (v.44), and the idea that Christ came to fulfil everything the Jews were familiar with from the Old Testament scriptures (v.17). There was teaching that went beyond the norms of accepted Jewish life and practice for relationships: “You have heard that it was said to those of old…But I say to you…” (vv.21- 48) Even saying unless their righteousness exceeded that of the most ardent religious leaders, they would never enter the kingdom of heaven (v.20).
These passages help define what others should experience when they encounter Christians, and right at the heart of it are just four verses which describe two revealing characteristics of what Jesus’s followers are like:
First, “You are the salt of the earth” (v.13). We think of salt most often for adding flavour to food, but in Biblical times its primary purpose was as a preserving agent, particularly in a hot climate long before the days of refrigeration. Salt also has antiseptic healing properties, so Jesus used ‘salt’ to describe his followers bringing a life-preserving and healing message to those who were lost in a dying world.
Secondly, “You are the light of the world” (v.14). Christians are to shine and illuminate the world. Jesus says it’s like a city on a hill, where there are thousands of individual lights together making the city bright. Each believer may only be a small light, but together they make a city which cannot be hidden.
How is this possible? Only through Christ living in us by the Holy Spirit is it possible for Christians to truly be salt and light in the world.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for calling us to be salt and light in the world. Fill us with your Spirit so we may bring healing, hope, and truth. Let our lives reflect your love so that others may see Jesus through us. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
|
Study by: Simon Williams About the author: |
|
Local congregation:
Grace Communion Peterborough
Farcet Village Hall
Main Street, Farcet
Peterborough PE7 3AN
Meeting time:
Sunday 11.00 am
Local congregational contact:
Richard Dempsey
Email: richard.dempsey@btinternet.com
Local church website: GRACE COMMUNION CHURCH PETERBOROUGH – Landing Page
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church