Sermons that shape us: Salt & Light (Pt.2)

Part 2

 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”-Matthew 5:14-16

 

 It is obvious from the passage that Jesus was using light in a spiritual rather than physical context. Yet, those seated around him understood the value of light and its necessity in the physical world they lived in. Without light, you and I could not survive. Think about how plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. They need the light to grow and the byproduct of photosynthesis is the oxygen we breath.

 

This a more complex understanding of the value of light. Jesus’ crowd may have appreciated a simpler understanding: light would break the darkness each day and give them light to live by. They didn’t have the luxury of light on demand. Perhaps we would appreciate light more if we only depended on the light God gave us.

 

As Jesus declared,  “You are the Light of the Word”, I could not help but think of another passage found in John 8:12: “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

 

 As disciples this passage promises us two things: 

 

1.     Because He is the light, we won’t have to walk in spiritual darkness. 

 

2.     Because He is the light, we will have the light that leads to life. 

 

What does that mean for you and I? We are called to be light-bearers carrying His light to others. Just as the moon has no light of its own, but simply reflects the light of the sun, so believers are to reflect the light of Christ for all to see. That light is made evident to others through the good deeds we do in faith and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Much like salt diminishes in value as it loses its saltiness, so does light that is hidden from view. What is the purpose of lighting a candle, but keeping it concealed from view. We are to position the light in a place where everyone can see it, not to draw attention to ourselves, but to Christ. 

 

Not everyone is going to appreciate the light. Although it can be a ray of hope to a lost sinner, it also exposes previously unseen things. Light reveals deficiencies. Perhaps this is why so many try and avoid it. The light of Christ has a way of exposing things in our lives that we would rather remain concealed. Yet, it is this very light that leads us to life. 

 

Ultimately a believers’ life must be characterized by salt and light. Salt and light, in my mind, are a reflection of our witness. Salt represents our character and light represents our actions. Each one pointing to Jesus in their own unique ways. 

 

Scott Burr