In my walk with Christ, I’ve heard and seen, and experienced a lot of things that have remained the same and a lot of things that have changed. I’ve been a son, a husband, a father, a friend, a student, a worker, a Pastor, a writer, a business owner, a business manager, and many other things we can talk about another time. I’ve had good times and not-so-good times. I’ve done right things and I’ve done wrong things. My point is, I’ve learned a lot throughout my life. One of the greatest things I’ve learned is that through everything, good or bad, right, or wrong, Jesus has always been there with me.
As we look at these parables, it is my job to use all the experiences God has given me to help you find the true message in the words of the Spirit of Christ. This brings me to the parables we will discuss today regarding salt and light.
Introduction: Situational Context: Matthew 5:1-2
Some background as we set the situational context;
Matthew 3:13-17; At the end of Matthew 3, John baptizes Jesus.
Matthew 4:1-11; Jesus is led into the wilderness and tempted by the devil for 40 days.
Matthew 4:12-18; Jesus begins preaching, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:18-22; Shortly after beginning his ministry he called each of his disciples.
Matthew 4:23-25; Jesus was preaching, teaching, and healing and the crowds were growing.
Imagine these new disciples’ interactions with the crowd, probably doing some crowd control. They’re probably being questioned, hassled, being pushed around by those trying to get close to Jesus. Maybe some in the crowd think Jesus is a heretic or a troublemaker. Maybe some want Jesus to speak out against Rome and start a revolt.
Matthew 5:1-2; Jesus, seeing what the disciples are dealing with, goes higher on the mountain so his disciples get a breather.
This is the context when Jesus begins teaching the disciples with what is called the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:3-10; Jesus starts by saying blessed are the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, those seeking righteousness, speaking about those in the crowd.
He continues by saying blessed are the merciful, the peacemakers, and the persecuted, meaning the disciples who were dealing with the crowd.
Jesus encourages the disciples in Matthew 5:11-12;
If Jesus was speaking to the crowd these verses wouldn’t make sense, but they do make sense if Jesus is just speaking to the disciples.
Parable of the Salt
Now, understanding the audience context for these two parables is the disciples, and not the crowd, Jesus says in Matthew 5:13 & Mark 9:50;
Salt was critical to the world in the first century;
- A preservative; it doesn’t make sense.
- A flavor enhancer; believers don’t enhance the flavor of the world.
- The busiest road in the Roman world was Via Salaria, the Salt Road.
- Roman soldiers were paid partly in salt (solarium argentum): we get our word ‘salary’.
- The salt in a soldier’s pay could be cut if he wasn’t worth his salt.
- The Roman goddess Salus (Sal – salt) was the goddess of health and safety.
- An antiseptic would go in a wound to clean it. Salt & water solution.
Jesus is saying that the disciples, and us, are the salt that promotes the healing of wounds. First in us, “Have salt in yourself”, then in others. But if we don’t use our salt for healing, then what good is it? First in us, then in others.
What did this mean to Israel and to the new believers? These are the “YOU” that Jesus was speaking to;
Israel and the Body of Christ are an “antiseptic” for all the harm that is done in the world;
“All the people of the earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. (2 Cor 5:20)
Parable of the Light
The Parable of the Lamp under a Bowl; Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-22, Luke 8:16, and Luke 11:33.
- Light exposes what’s in the darkness.
- Others will see the contrast between light and darkness and acknowledge God.
Salt is an antiseptic to promote healing in humanity and shows the world the love of God.
Jesus was speaking specifically to the disciples. Does that mean he wasn’t speaking to all believers? No, but the disciples had a very specific call and destiny. As believers, we each have our call.
Your Call in Christ: 1 Corinthians 7:17 – What is a calling from God?
We are called to be salt and light in the earth. But we all have different circumstances and degrees.
Disciples had a unique calling as witnesses of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Their salt was their preaching as healing medicine for sin and their light exposed the futility of life without salvation by Jesus Christ. Their sphere of influence was all of mankind.
We are called in our own spheres of influence to be salt and light;
- In our homes; husband, wife, children, mother, father, brothers, sisters, etc.
- With our friends
- At school
- At work
- In the world
How are we salt and light in our spheres of influence?
Being the Salt & Light of the Earth;
- As an antiseptic (disinfectant); having salt in ourselves and being at peace with others.
- The example of our lives can show others recovery is possible. (Your story)Our words and actions can help people improve their health. (Your support)Our service to others lifts them from unhealthy situations. (Your service)
- Our voices can focus on the positive instead of the negative. (Your leadership)
- As a light; light chases darkness away.
- Others see the good things we do, and they realize what evil is. (Your motivation)Light overcomes darkness like good overcomes evil (Romans 12:21). (Your attitude)Show that what is hidden will be brought into the open. (Your transparency)
- Use your light to illuminate the path of salvation for others. (Your sensitivity)
The spiritual principles to remember are;
As an Antiseptic: Show God heals all wounds. (Mind)
As Light: Show God overcomes evil with good. (Spirit)
Takeaways:
- Understanding the parables of salt & light of the earth
- Know the expectation of Jesus for you.
- You know how to use your salt.
- You know how to use your light.
The Heavens Will Be Shaken