JESUS SPEAKING
“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. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven” (Mathew 5: 13-16.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
First, let us understand that Jesus is addressing those who put their faith in him. Whether it be a little faith or a big giant amount of faith […] faith in him produces visible, tangible effects in the lives of the believers. In Israel salt was not just used for eating, but was also used for coating pathways. The best salt was used for eating, however, if that salt underwent a chemical change, which it often could, it would lose its flavor, and the good salt would then have no other use but to be used in the roadways and pathways, as Jesus is alluding to here. In much the same way that salt has a purpose, so do cities that everyone can see. Most cities were constructed on hillsides and in places that were easy to defend against attacks. So too, these cities were easy to see in the day, and at night, they were illuminated. A lamp is another illustration used her to describe the believer. No one would ever turn on a flashlight and hide it under a pillow today. This wouldn’t make sense. Flashlights are for seeing in the dark. Jesus is revealing that everyone who put’s their faith in him will be a light in this dark world. Jesus alludes to works being the visible light of God that shines out from the true believer in the last portion of this scripture. However, it is important that we recognize that we should not take the glory away from God, but should make sure that when others see our good works they, ‘glorify our Father in heaven.’
When I was a young Christian it was difficult for me to love others because it was new and I was afraid, but today, it is easy, and it doesn’t seem strange at all. As Christians we are to be distinguished from the rest of the world, easily recognized as followers of Christ, because we continue his works upon this earth. We are to give light to others, and they should look at us and see Jesus Christ, working through us. I encourage you to be swift to love everyone, everywhere you go, with as much love as you have to give.
“Father, please, light up our hearts, and make them reflect the light of Christ. Please Father; put others in our path that we can love today. Father, please help us to be the salt of the earth, the city on the hill, the lamp on the lamp stand, that others may see our good deeds and praise You. We love You Father, we praise You, and we ask and we pray all of these things, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 