"The Good Life" - Week 17

Week 17 - Matthew 5:13-16

"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. 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."


Jesus refers to his followers as salt and light. These don't seem to be the most flattering images that could be used to describe Christians. But that is partly because we don't appreciate salt and light as people in the first century would have.

Today, salt has become a bad thing in our culture. Salt receives bad press as a cause of high-blood pressure. Some of us are on salt-restricted diets.

And light? If anything we have an overabundance of light rather than darkness. Most people have never experienced true darkness. Harnessed electricity has allowed us to overcome God's intention with the rhythm of day and night.

But in the first century, these two elements were vitally important. Salt preserved meat that otherwise would have rotted and light revealed what otherwise couldn't be seen.

How salty are you? How much are you preserving a world that seems continually bent toward rotting?

How bright are you? Are you hiding your light? Or are you like a city on a hill illuminating a world trying to hide in darkness?

As you dwell in Matthew 5:13-16, here are a few questions to consider and comment on:

1) What are the qualities of salt that Jesus might be referring to as he relates his message to the crowd? How does salt make a difference in the world?

2) What is the warning Jesus gives about being salty? What extreme does Jesus warn us to stay away from?

3) What are the qualities of light that make it an apt image for describing Jesus' disciples? How does light make a difference in the world?

4) What is the warning Jesus gives regarding light? What extreme does Jesus warn us to stay away from?

5) There seems to be a tension between salt and light in the way Jesus describes it. What tension is Jesus recommending that we maintain as Christians who are called into the world?

6) We can't just focus on what salt and light do for the world. How does salt and light make a difference in the world? What challenge does that give us as Christians?

7) What are some ways that Christians (those committed to putting the kingdom on display) might seek to implement this passage in order to proclaim the good news in 2012?