Salt and Light
In New Testament times salt served three main purposes:- It provided flavour
- It preserved
- It purified
We take light for granted. At night these days we have so much light that the astronomers are talking about light pollution! In New Testament times light was a luxury that was very much appreciated and valued. Imagine the traveller for whom the journey from one town to the next took longer than planned... When it was getting dark, the lights of the city in the distance would be a very welcome sight!
We are called to be salt and light. We need to preserve Christlike values and attitudes and we need to purify ourselves so that what people see in us is attractive and that they can honestly say that life is better (more flavourful) when we are around.
Commentators explain that salt "lost its saltiness" when it was mixed ("diluted") with similar looking gypsum particles in the marketplace, to make a little salt (which was valuable) go a long way. When we "dilute" the influence of Christ in our lives, we lose our saltiness.
Isn't it sad that Christians are often seen as the opposite of the 'spice of life'? Instead of being people who appreciate, love and celebrate life, many Christians are characterised as dull party-poopers and wet-blankets. Our lives should bring hope and fullness to those around us. People's days should be better because of their contact with us. This is what bringing flavour to people's lives is about.
And if we are salty enough, people will become thirsty for Christ who is the Water of Life.
| "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavour, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honour to your Father in heaven. (Matthew5:13-16) |
