Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

People of God: Salt and Light of the World
St. Mat. 5:13-16
Rev. Binu C. Samuel, Director, Santhigiri Ashram, Aluva
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid".

Jesus wants his followers to be the salt and the light. What does it mean? We have witnessed different ideologies and persons who made their Kingdoms on the earth using different means. The Nazis, the Communist revolutions, the Islamic Jihads etc are attempts to conquer the world with power and might. But in contrast Jesus presents His Kingdom in a different way. It is a way of conquering the world through love and mercy. It is a way of adding flavor and radiance to the earth. The statement ‘you are the salt’ means you are very important in this world regardless of your profession and social status.
In the ancient world salt was highly valued. It was connected with purity and sanctity. It was the most earliest of all offerings to the gods. Most of the Old Testament sacrifices were offered with salt. The covenants Yahweh made with His people were known as “Covenant of Salt” (Exo 30:35, Num: 18:19) God asked to add salt to all offerings (Lev 2:13).Salt is also used to keep things from decaying. Meat or fish are part of dead bodies but salt preserves them from going bad and keeps it clean and fresh. It is almost like a new soul inserted into a dead body. Moreover salt gives taste to things. We can’t even imagine food without salt. By calling believers as salt Jesus reminds our mission engagement of adding flavor to the world through our actions. There is a phrase in Latin “Nil Utilus Sole et Sale” means the most useful things in the earth are Sun and Salt.
Jesus again says you are the Light of the world. Light shows the way to others to reach their destination. Jesus said “I am the Light of the World” (John 1:5). By calling us “Light” He calls us to be like him which means to be ‘Christ like’ in local contexts. In addition to this, ‘Light’ is a symbol of perfect unity. White light is actually made of all of the colors of the rainbow known as VIBGYOR. There are seven colors in the light but we never see light as seven but as a perfect unity of white light. Light from a torch or the Sun is a good example of this. “In your Light we see the Light Jesus full of Light… it’s your light that shines upon our World; light our minds.”Jesus concludes the message by saying that let your good deeds shine before the whole creation so that those who see it will praise your Father.

PRAYER


Light of Light, enlighten us with your blissful radiance. Help us to set an example by adding flavor to the society so that the World will realize your light through us.

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