Matthew 5:13-16 –Being the Salt of the earth and light of the world

In these verses the Lord uses three metaphors to describe His disciples. He said they are salt, light and a city set on a hill.

Salt has three capabilities – it creates thirst, it preserves and it adds flavor. Disciples of Christ are expected to cause people to thirst after the Christ they worship and follow. As preservatives, they are to prevent the further decaying of the community. By their presence and good behavior, they help to change the moral climate of the society. Besides, their presence should also add the right flavor to living, helping people to live lives that are contagious and glowing.

As light, disciples are to provide light to this darkened world. We have all been to a darkroom at night, where there is no light and had to fumble around. How good it is when someone flip on a switch and provide light. No longer do we need to fumble around. Many in the world without Christ had to grope around. Here’s where we can guide by showing them the way to Christ. The Lord further tells us that no one lights up a lamp, then hide it underneath a basket. He would rather put the lit lamp on a lampstand to provide light. As Christians and disciples, we are placed on God’s lampstand to provide light to those outside of Christ. We need to understand that we are God’s light in the world. Therefore we must function as light and guide people to Him by the way we conduct ourselves. 

Disciples, corporately, become God’s new community. As a community which Christ had called out of the world to Himself, we are seen as a city on a hill. We become a place of refuge for people in our fallen world. In this community, we can experience the peace of Christ and grow together in Him. Let’s be the salt of the earth! Let’s be a light to the world and let’s together be a place of refuge for people seeking the peace and presence of God!