Reading through the parables found in the New Testament of the Holy Bible is an interesting assignment. In fact, every time I read one I garner new insight than previously. During this month, I have tasked myself to read one parable a day and to spend time thinking how I can apply that parable to my own life. Today I am going to discuss the parable titled salt and light and is found in Matthew chapter five and are versus thirteen through sixteen.
The text I am referencing is:
5:13: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the sale loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
In verse thirteen, Jesus is referencing salt in its everyday use of flavoring and preserving food. If sale loses its function, then it no longer can flavor our favorite foods or preserve meats and other products from perishing. In this sense, Jesus is noting that if Christians lose their function of acting like salt, then they can no longer influence our community who may be lost.
Verse fourteen is intentionally clear in the message it is relaying to Christians. Christians are supposed to be the light of the world and are tasked with pushing into darkness wherever that may be. “A city on a hill cannot be hidden” refers to how no one misses something if it is in plain sight on the top of a hill. Christians need to be authentic with their beliefs and be willing to shine their light in a world filled with void and darkness.
In verse fifteen, Jesus once again continues the light example and how people do not hide their lamps in their home or cover it with a shade. Christians should not be discouraged or afraid when pushing into darkness and their light will overcome this feeling.
Finally, in verse sixteen Jesus notes good deeds are not meant to be done publicly for self-glorification; instead, we should do good deeds for the glory of God and showing those who are lost or unchurched that Jesus cares about them. If Christians are unwilling to follow this simple parable of salt and light, then many individuals in our society will continue to be left in darkness.
Every Christian learned about God from someone else. Whether that person was a love one, relative, friend, or stranger, it took someone else to push into your darkness to lead you into the light. Christians should continue to follow Jesus’ example of pushing into darkness and letting your light shine bright for others.
