““You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16 NLT
I love these two examples that Jesus uses as the crowd came and he gathered his disciples.
There has been much discussion about what being “salt of the earth” means over the years. Was it a preservative or a seasoning? In years past it just became an phrase describing a hard working person or family.
Either way, it’s still crystal clear – it’s for the benefit of others. A disciple, a follower of Jesus should be “experienced” as a benefit to the world in which they live. Should the follower lose that effectiveness, their mission, their influence, then that characteristic of Jesus in them becomes worthless. They don’t personally become worthless. Nor does Jesus’ mission become worthless. Their witness of God’s work in them and their ability to let God use them in the world of tasters, eyeballs and ears becomes just unnoticed.
Similar with light. Light is a pure and mysterious element. Right after heaven and earth were created, God spoke light into existence. Science calls light, “electromagnetic radiation,” or “electromagnetic waves”. We see it, but it also carries energy. And it’s fast – super fast. Without going down the deep hole of scientific wonder, we know this and experience this. We know the difference between light and darkness. When there’s light, we see. When light is absent, we can’t see because removing light makes it dark.
Followers of Jesus bring light into darkness and freely gives it out so that everyone benefits. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! The transformation of Christ, through his followers, can and should be seen and experienced by those around them.
As a believer, a follower of the ways of Jesus, am I a tasty light? Do I, just as a quiet presence or influence in the room of humanity, change the environment and atmosphere of that space? Do I bring the flavor and warmth of God into every interaction I have with those who are seeking, hurting or broken? Maybe Jesus was just bringing an object lesson to that beautiful verse out of Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Prayer
Dad,
Oh I have tasted and I’ve seen that you are GOOD! I guess the question is, can I bring it! Can I be the Costco sample to those who are weary, weak and worried? Can I be tasty and bright in a dull and dim world around me? I can if I am filled with your presence! If I am so grateful that I leak graciousness! If I am filled with joy even when I am overwhelmed or suffering. Only you can be that in my life. That kind of flavor, that kind of bright, warm illumination can’t be faked, it must be authentic. Fill me so that I can be a tasty light.