The Way To Live

The Way to Live

Q: In the Sermon on the Mount, what two things does Jesus tell the people they should be like?

• a. light and darkness
• b. sheep and goats
• c. light and salt

Jesus’ teachings on the mountainside were about how people should behave and think. He challenged many of the popular attitudes and beliefs. His words weren’t just for Bible times; they are good standards to live by today.

Jesus told the people they should be like salt. Some foods are bland without seasoning. Salt adds flavor. When we allow love, kindness, compassion, patience, and joy to radiate from our lives, we add seasoning to those around us. They will be drawn to us because they desire what we have.

Jesus also told the people they were the light of the world, a city on top of a hill whose light could be seen from far away. Sometimes it’s easy to hide our light, like when we see something that is wrong and we don’t speak up. We hide our light when we see a need and ignore it because we don’t want to go out of our comfort zone.

Our lights shine bright when we reach out to others, speak an encouraging word, lend a hand, stand by someone who’s being bullied, tell someone about Jesus’ love, or share Scripture.

We are here on the earth as salt and light, but if we are flavorless or dark, we aren’t doing what Jesus intends for us to do.

For You

Do you add flavor and light to your corner of the world? Is your life making a difference? Try to do one thing each day this week that impacts someone near you.

Answer: c

[Jesus said,] “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”   Matthew 5:13-16

(The Whole Story: Matthew 5:13-16; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35)