Salt & Light (5:13-16)

The Gospel According to Matthew
Jesus for President (Part 12: Salt & Light)

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 by men.

What are some of the many uses of salt?
1. Flavor
2. Preservation
3. Traction

Which use do you think Jesus had in mind?
Salt was a very valuable commodity in the ancient world. Without canning and refrigeration, salt was the main way to preserve food (especially meats). Salt kept food from decaying. Salt was so valuable in this way, that the word 'salary' derives from salt (not that people were paid in salt, but that they would most likely buy salt, similar to how we call money 'dough'). Salt was a basic human need for preservation. Thus, Jesus probably has this use most in mind.

How can salt lose its saltiness?
Ancient 'salt' was actually a composite. It was possible for all the 'salt' to be gone while leaving behind salt-like minerals. This 'salt' of course, had no value as a preservative.

What scenario is Jesus describing?
If Christians do not have the characteristics mentioned in the beatitudes, they are useless. They will not stop the morality of their world from decaying. They may as well be thrown out and used for traction.


You are the light of the world.
A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven.

In what way are we like light?
Jesus is, directly, the light of the world (John 8:12). But just as the moon is illuminated by the source (The sun), the church is illuminated by the source (the Son). In this sense, we are the light of the world which is in darkness (night).

Are we to do good just to be seen by men?
If we are doing it for our glory (6:1), we are wrong. But we are to do good works which, by their very nature, will be noticed. It's a question of motivation.

What does the world think of the church today?
Opinions vary. We can blame them, hypocrisy, etc. But certainly one of the ingredients, based on this passage, is a lack of good works being done by the church.

Will all react well to good deeds?
No, but we should do them anyway.