Epiphany 5, Salt and Light

Salt and Light
Jesus doesn’t say, “You will be the salt of the earth” or “You have within you the potential to become the salt of the earth.” He says, “You ARE the salt of the earth”. We are being told that, by God’s grace, the miracle of our transformation has already begun.

Salt has little influence while sitting in a salt shaker. However, it has great value when we mix it, in the right proportions, into our food. When it is sprinkled on (or cooked into) our food, it changes the food into something very tasty and desirable.
Our congregations are sometimes small, but that doesn’t matter. Just as a few grains of salt can make a big difference in food, so also a few faithful Christians can make a big difference in the world.
Jesus also says to his disciples, “You are the light of the world.” Our light comes from our relationship to Christ. Our light is not our own, but is the reflection of Jesus’ light.
Christ intends each of us to be a light. Some will be small lights and some will be bigger, but we are all to shine brightly ….. a thousand points of light …. a million points …. a billion!
If every Christian had her or his light turned on, this would be a very different world!

Matthew 5:13-20
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.