Matthew 5:13-16 (NKJV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Similar passage can also be found in Mark 9:49-50; Luke 14:34-35
Jesus teaching is full of metaphors-(to draw comparison) to help understand His teachings.
So, to understand this passage we need to understand the value and usage of salt and light:
1. Na-Cl Sodium Chloride, Seasoning agent or a flavor enhancer.
Even if you have all the best and expensive ingredients in your food without salt it will be nothing! You won't enjoy a single bit of it!
A pinch of salt can determine the quality of food! A very important compound element not just for food but also other materials and products that we use daily.
2. Preserving Agent, because of it's anti-septic properties.
The oldest way of preserving food, meat can spoil in a day so the ancient people rub salt to preserve it.
Even with the advancement of technology in food preservation (refrigeration & other preservation methods), salt is still use as preservative agent.
3. Light reveals things hidden in the dark.
We can apply it to our passage, that as a
1. Moral Influencer.
Christians are great influencer if we stand for Christ. Christians have lots of spiritual gifts to offer to society for the advancement of the gospel and changed lives, though only a minority but because of God's grace we can influence great multitude of people (believers and non alike).
We should preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and back-it up with our personal testimony.
But we should also find the balance when and not to engage with the non-believers.
Jesus Christ, which is in every heart of the believer gives the true meaning and purpose of life.
2. Preserver of God's word.
As a believer we should always study God's word. Always asking the Holy's Spirit to guide us with the correct interpretation of the word and protecting it against the corruption of this world.
3. Unashamed of the Gospel.
We can't keep the gospel for ourselves, but we need to actively tell other people (family members, classmates, co-workers and friends) the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
1 John 1:5, This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
In today's technology (social media) we can easily spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to great multitude of people at the least time and comfort.
If keep/hide the gospel from other people then we can't expect a renewed life from other people.
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Similar passage can also be found in Mark 9:49-50; Luke 14:34-35
Jesus teaching is full of metaphors-(to draw comparison) to help understand His teachings.
So, to understand this passage we need to understand the value and usage of salt and light:
1. Na-Cl Sodium Chloride, Seasoning agent or a flavor enhancer.
Even if you have all the best and expensive ingredients in your food without salt it will be nothing! You won't enjoy a single bit of it!
A pinch of salt can determine the quality of food! A very important compound element not just for food but also other materials and products that we use daily.
2. Preserving Agent, because of it's anti-septic properties.
The oldest way of preserving food, meat can spoil in a day so the ancient people rub salt to preserve it.
Even with the advancement of technology in food preservation (refrigeration & other preservation methods), salt is still use as preservative agent.
3. Light reveals things hidden in the dark.
We can apply it to our passage, that as a
1. Moral Influencer.
Christians are great influencer if we stand for Christ. Christians have lots of spiritual gifts to offer to society for the advancement of the gospel and changed lives, though only a minority but because of God's grace we can influence great multitude of people (believers and non alike).
We should preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and back-it up with our personal testimony.
But we should also find the balance when and not to engage with the non-believers.
Jesus Christ, which is in every heart of the believer gives the true meaning and purpose of life.
2. Preserver of God's word.
As a believer we should always study God's word. Always asking the Holy's Spirit to guide us with the correct interpretation of the word and protecting it against the corruption of this world.
3. Unashamed of the Gospel.
We can't keep the gospel for ourselves, but we need to actively tell other people (family members, classmates, co-workers and friends) the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
1 John 1:5, This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
In today's technology (social media) we can easily spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to great multitude of people at the least time and comfort.
If keep/hide the gospel from other people then we can't expect a renewed life from other people.
