Salt. Light. You.

We all run the risk of becoming unsavory – a worthless commodity that does more damage than good. This is true for you and me, and for the Church as a whole. ​

Growing up in Florida you quickly learn a few things about nature.

First, never open a door or window unless there’s a screen between you and the outside world because you never know what will fly in and land on you. 

Second, if you sense a storm is coming you’re probably right, even if the local meteorologist argues differently.

We all have instincts that help us detect when something is off, or not right. For example, if your gut tells you not to get your hopes up for the Tampa Bay Bucs to win another Super Bowl, listen to it!

​But most of what shapes us isn’t instinct.  It’s learned behavior. We’re taught at an early age which team to root for. And how to stay alert when walking around at night. Or don’t tempt fate and eat chicken prepared in a questionable food truck.

​Which brings us to our reading today from Matthew’s gospel. ​

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “ You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.                                             ​                                                           ​Matthew 5:13-16

Coming on the heels of blessing everyone, Jesus turns his attention to the disciples and teaches them what those blessings are meant for.

He uses two simple, earthly images to describe who they are called to be. Like I said last week, once we receive God’s blessing we must become that blessing for others if it’s going to mean anything.
 
Jesus tells us to be the salt. And calls us the light of the world.
 
Now, anyone with basic science knowledge knows it’s essential to life. It plays a vital role in staying hydrated by maintaining the balance of electrolytes in the body. Without salt, we’d die.
 
Whenever I had a sore throat as a kid, my dad made me gargle with warm saltwater. Sounds gross, but this magical elixir is a well-known healing agent. If you’ve ever soaked sore muscles or tired feet in a salt bath, you know how it reduces inflammation.

So I can understand why Jesus describes us like this. It’s like he’s telling us that we play a vital role in the healing and restoration of the world. 
 
Be the salt. I have an entire chapter about this in my book. I talk about my wife’s obsession with salt. And the endless varieties that fill our pantry shelves. In some households, salt can be a secret weapon that can make a bland meal tolerable. It doesn’t replace the dish, but it can enhances the flavor and reveal the hidden goodness.
 
Maybe Jesus is telling us to bring out the best in people. Help them get a taste who they already are.

Salt was also crucial to the development of civilization. It preserved food for storage or travel. A thick coat of this precious mineral could keep meat from going bad.

Is Jesus calling us to be a spiritual agent that preserves all that is good? Or perhaps he’s saying be "worth your salt." A phrase we have from long ago, when salt was given as part of a person’s salary.
 
All-in-all, I think Jesus is reminding us that we are blessed, and have value in the kingdom of heaven. So know your worth. And use it for the good of all things. Because salt also has a shadow side.
 
Too much of it can spike your blood pressure or cause kidney disease. There’s even a story in the Bible where salt was weaponized. King Abimelech spread it over an enemy’s field to make the land barren. I think that’s why Jesus warns us not to lose our saltiness, so we don’t harm ourselves or others.
 
We all run the risk of becoming unsavory – a worthless commodity that does more damage than good. This is true for you and me, and for the Church as a whole. 

You may have noticed Christian ministers are not the only clergy out on the streets protesting the injustice and abuse that’s being inflicted on our neighbors. Clergy from every religious traditions are unifying. They are locked arm-in-arm, full of flavor, enhancing the goodness of humanity.
 
That’s the salt Jesus is talking about. But we lose our saltiness when we stay silent in times like these. When our churches trade compassion for compliance.

When our faith becomes more about protecting power than practicing peace and love.

When we lose our courage and commitment to doing the right thing, how will the world ever taste what God’s grace is like?
 
Which is why Jesus also calls us to shine! To be the light of the world that illuminates all the goodness of God.
 
Like salt, light is essential to life. It’s the primary source of energy for nearly every living organism on the planet. Without it, we’d literally be nothing more than mold or mushrooms.

In John’s gospel, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness...” In Matthew, Jesus makes us light-bearers. He tells us not to hide our light, but to illuminate, to shine. 
 
Sure, some of us might shine brighter than others, but that’s okay. The nightlight in our hallway isn’t the brightest, but it keeps me from stubbing my toe when I have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

It’s like Jesus is saying, use what you have to help others see what God is doing in their life.
 
Again, you might think you’re not bright enough. But remember this: it’s not your light. It’s Christ’s light that shines through you.

We’re like the moon, which has no light of its own. It just reflects the light of the sun. Yet its reflective glow is just enough to safely guide travelers through the dark night.
 
When we allow Christ to reflect through us, we can provide what others might need to get through what St. John of the Cross described, “the dark night of the soul.” Which is probably why Jesus gives us this image to reflect God’s blessings for the world to see.
 
Like salt, some light can be more harmful than good.

Artificial light—like screens and glowing clocks—disrupts our circadian rhythm which can alter hormone production, and contribute to our depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and insomnia.
 
In the same way, artificial faith can damage our spiritual health.  Faith that’s performative, hollow, or disconnected from love may look bright and shiny, but it can do more harm than good.

Real faith, like real light, gives life. And you’ll recognize the difference by the way it illuminates non-judgmental, all-inclusive love.
 
That’s why Jesus says don’t hide your light. Place it where it can be seen. Or to say it another way, if you hide your love,  then how will you reflect God’s love for you?
 
We have a lamp that connected to a smart plug. It turns on and off with a verbal command. Yet no matter what I say, it won’t work if it’s unplugged.

Which is why it’s important for us to be plugged into Christ. Jesus blesses us, but those blessings are just words.They only come to life when we allow them to shine in us; even in the places we’d rather keep dark.
 
By truly embracing our own blessing, we are able to show others what it means to be salt that heals, light that guides. Our words will mean something. Our actions will show integrity. We will love without fearing how others might retaliate. 
 
My charge to you today is simple. Go into those dark places where bigotry, hatred, and rage fester, and be the salt and light of Christ. Help people see their value. Help them know their worth. Help them see and believe how God’s glory shines in them too.   
 
As Irenaeus of Lyons once said, “The glory of God is a human fully alive.”

This is how Jesus fulfilled God’s righteousness, and blessed the world with God’s love and grace. And this is how we, his followers, are able to abide the same – loving God, loving others, and serving both.
 
Go and be fully alive in the way of Jesus. As salt. As light. As a little Christ … becoming the blessing that you are.
 
 
Work Cited
Adapted from Salt-N-Light by Ian Macdonald (February 9, 2020)
Bartlett, David L and Barbara Brown Taylor, eds. Feasting On The Word, Year A, Vol 1. (Louisville: Westminser John Knox, 2010) pp. 332-337.
Lockyer, Herbert. All The Parables of the Bible. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1963) pp. 146-147.