When Jesus gave his famous sermon on the mount, he used two metaphors: salt and light. Salt and light aren't just mere symbols; they give valuable insight to how we should live as followers of Jesus.
In Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden."
Notice that Jesus doesn’t say we could be salt and light. He says that we are salt and light. But in order to live out this calling, we need to understand background of these metaphors and get to the deeper meaning of how we can live out what Jesus taught.
When Jesus said “You are the salt of the earth,” what did he mean?
When Jesus said “You are the salt of the earth,” there was profound symbolism – more than we realize! Here’s some interesting context about the metaphors of salt and light that help us understand what exactly he’s calling his followers to do:
The role of salt
In the first century, salt wasn’t just a seasoning – it was valuable, and often used as currency. Soldiers were typically paid in salt, which is where we get the phrase "not worth his salt." Jesus knew that salt had cultural significance, and here’s why he uses that metaphor to describe his followers:
- Salt Enhances Flavor: Just like salt enhances food, Jesus calls us to enhance and the lives of the people around us. As Christians, we’re called to bring joy, compassion, and kindness into our circles – our workplaces, communities, and homes. Where there’s hostility or cynicism, we can bring a “flavor” of grace and peace.
- Salt is a preservative: Before refrigerators were invented, salt was used as a preservative – something to prevent decay. In a world where our society seems to be in decay, Jesus calls us to be agents of preservation. When we push back against gossip, greed, and cynicism, and choose instead to see the best in others and live with generosity, we help prevent decay in our world.
- Salt creates thirst: Just like salt makes people thirsty for water, our lives as followers of Christ should make others thirst for something greater. When we live out our faith with authenticity and love, people will be drawn to find out where we get such hope (1 Peter 3:15).
The role of light
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus also called his followers to be the light of the world. Here's why light is such a powerful metaphor:
- Light brings comfort and clarity: There’s a reason people don’t like the dark – it's scary. It’s hard to see and hard to move. In contrast, light brings comfort and allows us to see more clearly. As Christians, we’re called to reflect the light of Jesus, bringing comfort and clarity to the people – even the culture – around us.
- Light travels: Even the smallest light can be seen from a great distance. You don’t need fame or talent to make an impact. Living with kindness, speaking encouraging words, and offering a helping hand are all small acts that shine bright in a dark, broken world.
Now that we know what Jesus meant when he said “you are the light of the world,” how do we live it out in our lives each day?
Living as salt and light
If we take Jesus' call to live as salt and light seriously, we need to be intentional about how we go about our lives. A great step is to pray and center your heart around the purpose Jesus calls you to. Here are two practical ways to live that out:
Keep your eyes out for opportunities
In Colossians 4:3, Paul writes, “Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ.”
Paul is challenging us to make the most of every opportunity – whether it's our workplaces, neighborhoods, or schools. God places us in unique environments where we can make a lasting impact.
The simplest way to do this is in our words. As Colossians 4:5-6 encourages us, “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Our words are powerful. To live as salt and light means we need to make sure our words reflect grace, kindness, and truth. This can transform how people see you and, more importantly, how they see Jesus in you.
Open your heart to others
In 2 Corinthians 5:15-16, Paul says Jesus “died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”
It’s easy to alienate and demonize others, especially when we disagree. But all too often, we fall for the lie that we need to choose between our convictions and compassion. Jesus calls us to hold firmly to our beliefs while also loving others – a far cry from the example our culture sets for us.
Remember, there’s nobody you’ve locked eyes with that God doesn’t love. If we open our hearts to see people the way God sees them, we can be salt and light even to those we tend to distance ourselves from.
Be salt and light!
When Jesus said “you are the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world,” he invited us to take up a unique role. The question is, are we living up to this calling?
In a world that feels divided and decaying, we are called to preserve hope, create thirst for the Gospel, and shine a bright light of compassion and clarity. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:16 offers this as an encouragement:
"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."
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Jesus called us to be salt and light, but there’s a lot more we’re called to be as Christians. Check out this Bible Reading Plan and discover who God says you are – and how you can live it out each day.
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