God gave us eternal principles, but he gave them to us in specific concrete forms,
addressing real situations. He gave us those principles in the form of illustrations, to
show us how those principles work out in real-life situations, because he wanted to
make sure that we would apply them to our real-life situations.
Beatitudes – It is a state of blessedness for those who portray these characteristics.
(Matthew 5:3-12)
The writer next presents two comprehensive statements about the necessity of living in a
way that reflects the good news of the kingdom.
Following the introductory beatitudes is a statement concerning the ethical demand of the
kingdom, the very essence of discipleship.
These are in short “kingdom ethics” – instructions for how those who are recipients of the
kingdom are to live. It is important to note that kingdom precedes ethics. There is no
insistence that people are to live this way in order to receive the kingdom.
Disciples are first identified as salt and light. Here “being proceeds doing”.
It is precisely because they are salt and light that they are expected to behave in
appropriate ways.2 These two statements of truth are the basis for the rest of the sermon on
the mount.
Salt (v.13)
““You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty
again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
Matthew 5:13 NIV
(Parallels – Mark 9:50, Luke 14:34-35)
Jesus is using a metaphor.
- Salt gives flavour and is used as a preservative.
- Salt is both savoury and preservative—Tim Keller.
- On one hand it brings out the best taste from the meat
- On the other hand it prevents the meat from decaying
This happens only when the salt is salt —when the salt is chemically different from the
meat. If it is chemically not different from the meat then it is of no use at all.
Therefore, my disciples are those who bring out the best in the culture that they are
surrounded by and at the same time preventing its worst tendencies as well…. but only if
Christians remain salt, that is different from the rest of culture.
Just as salt is vital to the world so are the disciples vital in the earth as a testimony of the
kingdom of God.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know
how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6 NIV
The world has high moral ideals (rights, equality), but society lacks the high moral
sources to bring it fruition. Only the gospel, only you and I as salt will be able to make a
difference! (Read the story of Graham Stuart Staines, and more importantly, the
response of his widowed wife Gladys Staines —the Hindu – Tuesday, September 23,
2003.)
Why be Christians? Why did people become Christians in the first few centuries when there was absolutely no social benefit?
1. Not because of community
2. Not because of miracles and healings
But because of communion with God, a love relationship that was given freely, not earned
like in the other religions. But because of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross we are part
of the family of God.
In the same way we too are too are called to be sacrificial, put god and others above our
own desires.
How does salt lose its saltiness?
It does so not by some impossible chemical miracle, but by becoming so impure, so mixed with other elements that it loses its function.
“It is no longer good for anything”
This statement does not refer to losing one’s salvation, but refers to losing one’s testimony and influence. If ever there was a day when the earth needed Christians to keep their testimony and influence, it is this day of the X-rated home movie, Internet pornography, and the sodomy taking place in our very own societies.
While salt deals with the moral, light deals with the spiritual. Salt relates to our character,
light relates to our conduct. Salt deals with what a person is; light deals with what a person does
Light (v.14-16 )
““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people
light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
(Parallels – Mark 4:21, Luke 8:16 (and 11:33))
Light is a very important metaphor in the Bible.
- “God is light” (1 John 1:5)
- Christ is described in the 4th gospel as “the light of the world” (John 8:12, 9:5, 12:46,
1:7-8) - Moreover God has come in Christ to bring light in the darkness (4:16 – people sitting in
darkness have seen a great light) - Paul refers to Christians as “children of light” (Eph. 5:8, 1 Thess. 5:5)
- Israel were called to be a “light to the gentiles” (Isaiah 51:4-5)
- Light is thus associated with God, his Messiah, and his people.
- Paul says Christians “shine as lights” in this fallen world (Phil. 2:15)
- For Matthew, the metaphor of light is applied specifically to God’s new people
represented by the disciples.
We only need to focus on being more like Christ. Our focus is not on church growth and
adding souls to the kingdom. Those things will take place the moment we start being light
and being salt.
The disciples are recipients of the truth and are thus indispensable to the world as the
represents of light in the darkness. You are the light. Your shining is the hope of the world.
When the lamp was lit, it was placed upon or hung from a stand so as to provide maximum
benefit from the light. The issue here is whether the light is seen or not.
To let one’s light shine is to live in such a way as to manifest the presence of the kingdom.
Letting one’s light shine is living according to the perfection of the kingdom and thus
manifesting the righteousness of the Torah (law) according to its correct interpretation.
Examples are given in the rest of the sermon on the mount.”
Jesus depicts his disciples’ mission in stark biblical terms for the mission of Israel. - Christians are light because – contrary to popular belief and theories —their destiny
(13:43) more than their past must define them. Christians cannot remain content to
remain as light just theoretically. They must be what they are, letting their light shine for
their Father’s glory. We are called to do good works in our neighbourhoods and societies,
not for our own honour (6:1 – to be seen by people), but for the glory of God (5:16). This
distinction exhorts is to guard the motives of our hearts and consider the effects of our
public activities and speeches on the spread of the Gospel and the honouring of God
among all groups of people.”
So, what does it mean to shine? It means:
• Being counter-cultural. While others are chasing after physical pleasures and selfish
gain, we’re commanded to live a different way—to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14).
• Putting yourself out there. Whether you’re timid or outgoing, you’re called to be a
light to the people around you. That’s only possible if you’re taking time to interact with
people and cultivate relationships. Are you the shy type? Here’s some guidance.
• Always pointing back to the light source. When Jesus said, “Let your light shine
before others,” that wasn’t the whole sentence. He went on to give the reason why it’s
important to shine: “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your
Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16b). Our goal should never be to bring
recognition to ourselves, but to bring glory to God. There’s a fine line between being a
light and putting on a show to get attention. It’s a matter of the heart.
Application
What is the imperative (crux) or the main point of this short sermon of Jesus?
It is this, to belong to the kingdom necessitates reflecting the light of the kingdom through
one’s good deeds. You and I are the blessed recipients of the kingdom, and are therefore of
vital importance for the accomplishment of God’s purpose in the world.7 You and I are the
salt and light without which the earth cannot survive and remains in darkness. Our mission
is not accomplished just by our word but the deeds of our daily existence. Others observing
your conduct will know that your priorities have changed.
If we are to fulfill our purpose, salt must be salt and light.
