Salt and Light, Matthew 5:13-16

After Jesus was tempted three times in the desert He goes to Galilee, a small fishing village next to the Sea of Galilee and he begins preaching to the people in that area. People are begging to follow him and his teachings. A huge crowd begins to follow him (men, women, Jews, gentiles, peasants, un-educated, educated…everyone). After Jesus realizes that there is a huge crowd following him He walks up on a hill over looking the Sea of Galilee and after telling them the beatitudes (Mathew 5:1-12) he goes on to say…

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and gives light to all that are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and, glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Mathew 5:13-16

SALT
Salt is a preservative and that’s how it was used during those days. It preserved something and kept it good. But it was worthless if it lost it’s saltiness. In the same way, we are a preservative to those around us, not allowing things to get spoiled around us.

LIGHT
Light is mentioned 200 times in the new and old testaments combined and every time it is associated with something GOOD.
In John, Jesus is described as the light of the world (v.8:12)
These two references compare us to something that is good (genesis) and to something that is similar to himself (john).

When we are salty then we are a light to the world around us. So let your light shine and do not hide it.