Going Public

    Please read Matthew 5:12-20.  Who are you?  Some may respond with a name, others a profession or maybe their relationship to a loved one.   For most, our list of titles and descriptors would grow quite lengthy before we responded salt.  Today we hear Jesus proclaim, “You are the salt of the earth.”  Despite weaknesses and imperfections disciples are the salt–why?  Because they and us have been chosen to be a witness to God’s grace and extend God’s love.   

    As you know, salt serves as a preservative and a seasoning – it gives or enhances flavor, it also disinfects.  It soothes bee stings, removes coffee stains, smothers grease fires, exfoliates, kills poison ivy and lowers the freezing point of water.  Salt is essential to our health.   In the time of Jesus-- salt was valuable and precious, so much so that people were paid in salt, hence where the word salary comes from.  

    We should act and be like salt.  Left on its own, salt does not serve a purpose, it requires an interaction to garner results.  Added to food it adds flavor, gargled with it salt heals, and sprinkled it prevents decomposition. It adds texture, deodorizes, and aids in hydration.   Salt is useful but on its own, it is totally ineffective; for salt to make a difference, it needs interaction.  

    Jesus warns that salt can lose its saltiness.  Metaphorically speaking, we can take our eyes off Jesus and become ineffective in our walk and work as Christians we are no longer “salty”.  Turning from good the results can be devastating.  Jesus is helping the disciples to see the need for accountability.  When we live in a way pleasing to God and enhance and preserve, positively influencing the world around us we are bringing value, however, if we are like salt on a stomped chip, we have lost our appeal and our salt is no longer satisfying, or accomplishing the purposes for which it was intended.

    We must act like salt, preserving what is good – encouraging the traditions of our faith, helping to heal what is damaged by offering peace and sharing patience, and adding good flavor to people’s lives by being a witness to God’s love and word.  Friends, we need to do regular salt checks – asking ourselves – have I been useful, preserving the good, helping to heal, preventing decay, adding texture and spice to make a situation better, removing the impurities and helping to create something new and beautiful? 

    A while ago I watched a video clip of a man riding on an escalator.  No one else was on it or within earshot.  All a sudden, the escalator jolted forward then abruptly stopped.  Halfway up the escalator he found himself stranded.  At some point, this scene should bring a confused smile to your face – or prompt you to say – walk!  Well, to some extent that is how many treat Christianity.  We can’t be caught standing there wondering what to do when we are met with a challenge.  We have been given the tools, and we need to use them.  We need to trust God, pray for guidance and direction and surround ourselves with support and offering support to others.  Friends, we need to walk, following in the life of Jesus.  Church, some do not know of his love, and this is where we, the salt and the light, come in.  We need to tell others that Jesus is at the door.   Please, don’t keep the grace, mercy, and love God offers a secret.  It’s truly a matter of eternal life. 

    Jesus also tells the disciples you are the light.  A light offers comfort in the dark, it gives direction in fog, shines brightly to show the way, and reflects to make more light – light can absorb, refract, increase alertness and can alter moods.   We cannot hide our light under a bushel and expect those we teach to learn.  We cannot let Satan blow our light out.  Discouragement, deception and distraction are ways our spiritual light is dimmed, and we need to guard against those tactics.  Doubt, fear and disconnection from God are indications our light is being darkened.   One purpose of light is to illuminate showing the way.  Jesus is urging followers to live a righteous life and show the way for others. 

    So, let’s to ask ourselves: How bright is our light?   Has sin dulled our light?  Has our relationship with Jesus grown cold?  Before we can be a light for others, before we can be the salt drawing others to Christ, we need to do the work to remain in relationship with Jesus.  We need to assess, engage, and cultivate our connection through honest conversation, listening, and service.  We need to repent and seek forgiveness.  As we are illuminated by God’s guidance through prayer, praise, and reflection of Scripture we will shine and add good flavor.  

    Church, salt and light go a long way to changing lives metaphorically and literally.   This text highlights our responsibility which we either choose to engage or ignore.  Each of us is summoned to make a difference, to do our small part in bringing the world closer into alignment with the reign of God.  Jesus came to complete the law and warns them and us not to set aside the commands of God. He is emphatic in the obedience and pointing to the weighty responsibility believers have in leading other to Christ.  We are called to make a difference–to go public and be clear in the gospel message sharing the gains, aware of the investment, and willing to take the risk.  For the sake of all and to the glory of God, be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. And all God’s people say, amen!

Blessings,

Pastor Kerry

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