Salt And Light

Matthew 5:13-16

You are the salt of the earth. . . . You are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-14)

JESUS NEVER MINIMIZED THE ROLES of his followers. He never told them to have modest aspirations; never reminded them they were only human; never limited their potential as Spirit-filled, divinely aided beings. No, he called them salt and light—agents of seasoning, preservation, growth, and brilliance—sent not just to tell a story to the world but to help it flourish. John Chrysostom, a church father from the fourth century, understood these words as an elevation of Jesus’ disciples over the prophets of old. Followers of Jesus are meant to preserve the new life given to them, Chrysostom preached, halting the world’s corruption and shining divine light into every dark corner. To be salt and light is a high calling indeed.

But this calling comes with warnings. Jesus suggests the possibility of salt losing its flavor or potency and light being hidden and rendered ineffective. Salt is meant to be salty; light is meant to shine—not so they can be glorified, but because the world desperately needs what salt and light provide. Each believer in Jesus is designed, gifted, and called to meet needs. We are meant to be present and active without being ostentatious, effective without being overbearing, and influential without seeking power. That means that in some measure or another, you are on display.

As someone who claims the name of Jesus, you are called to season the world with your salt and shine your light into it. You may not want a prominent role, and you may not even desire the responsibility of bearing his name, for fear that you won’t live up to it. But his name is given to you anyway, and for better or worse, you will shape his reputation in the eyes of others. Jesus’ words to his disciples unapologetically commission them as agents of his Kingdom. They signal a high calling for all his followers—then and now—to be exactly what the world needs.

{Jesus, how can I ever live up to your standard? How can someone like me represent who you really are? Still, you have called me and equipped me. May I serve you well by serving the world you love. Fill me with power and light today and every day. Amen.