Salt and Light

Jesus said:

“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 underfoot.

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket but 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 5:13–15 NRSVUE

Jesus speaks to us in the language of you are.

Salt. Light. A city on a hill.

Jesus fuses our identity with our public witness. Who we are and how we show up in the world belong together.

Imagine Jesus holding you by the shoulders, drawing you close, looking so deeply into your eyes that it feels like your soul is being embraced. And Jesus says your name.

(insert your name) You are the salt of the earth.

(Insert your name) You are the light of the world.

You are a precious spice that shapes the course of history.

You are radiant, dripping with divine color that helps others shine.

Salt is everywhere. In the sea. In the soil. In our food. In our tears. We need salt to live. Across cultures, there are thousands of kinds of salt. The earliest roads were built to transport it. The earliest taxes were levied on it. Revolutions were sparked by its misuse. Roman soldiers were paid with salt, which is where we get the word "salary". Venice rose as a trading empire because of salt. Gandhi used salt to move a nation toward freedom.

In ancient times, salt healed wounds. Salt preserved food. Salt accompanied offerings. In scripture, salt symbolized a binding relationship between God and God’s people. Eating together was called salt sharing. Salt draws out flavor. It helps things taste as they should.

Salt does not exist for itself. It exists to promote life.

When Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth,” he reminds his disciples that they are precious and holy and that their presence matters to the flourishing of others. Salt only loses its saltiness when it is contaminated or diluted. Staying salty matters.

Salt preserves.

Salt heals.

Salt transforms.

Salt promotes life.

So too, the calling of the disciples and for us is to preserve, heal, transform, and promote life all around us. Even a small amount makes a difference.

Jesus is saying, You are God’s presence, compassion, and mercy in the world.

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Jesus also says, “You are the light of the world.”

Light helps things be seen. Light spills outward. This light is already within you, given by the grace and love of God. You cannot manufacture it. You carry it.

“This Little Light of Mine” became a song of courage during the Civil Rights Movement. When Fannie Lou Hamer sang it at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, she was naming her commitment out loud. In mass meetings across the Jim Crow South, when sheriffs showed up to intimidate, people sang to reclaim the space. Their voices, joined together, served as a glowing reminder of God's promised presence in each of them who were resisting the forces of violence, hatred, and cruelty. [A Little History of this Little Light of Mine - NPR - All Things Considered]

Being salt and light shapes our identity and also illuminates our calling.

We hear this blessing as we emerge from the waters of baptism.

Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven.

Beloveds...

You already carry what the world needs.

Stay salty.

Let your light shine.

Pastor Kacey