I love salt.  I am that person who will salt a dish before tasting it to see if it needs seasoning.  I assume that a little more salt won’t hurt.  I want there to be enough salt to really taste what I crave.  Salt gives flavor that enhances what we eat.  I love that about salt, don’t you? However, we don’t oversalt or we will ruin the taste of food.

Salt has other benefits when used in the right portions.  Salt preserves food stored for later use.  Salt was the main ingredient used in Bible times to preserve a good day’s catch of fish that couldn’t be consumed in one day.  Salt was as important then as it is today.  Jesus, the Master Teacher, always used examples He could touch and feel in the everyday lives of those He was teaching.

A salt-loving person finds it hard to accept a substitution for salt.  When doctors tell us to avoid salt altogether and recommends substitutes, we can’t quite make the transition, can we?  We want the REAL thing for the fullest flavor in what we eat.  Right?  (Camp here.  Take all the time you need.)

We also want to see what we eat, so we light the room in various ways to not only see but to provide that warm glow of peace while we dine with each other.  Why do you think nice restaurants provide lamps on the tables but dim the surrounding brighter lights at night?  They are creating a “mood” of peace while you eat so you will enjoy each other’s company and return!

I love how Jesus couples his salt example with light.  He tells us to be salty, providing the flavor season of His love to the world then tells us to light our lamps so others will see the look of Him reflected in our eyes to those seeking Him.  How will they know unless we reflect His Light in this dark world?  The Light of Jesus never goes out, never flickers and is always steady in our lives when we allow it.  His Light in us shines for all to see when we turn from dark to Light.  His Light in us glows with the warmth of His love to others.

Why hide the Light of Love who is in relentless pursuit of our affection? We don’t want to hide Jesus, and let’s face it, we can’t ignore Him.  The Light of the world is Jesus and there is no hiding Him under our basket of pretense, selfishness, unconfessed sin and pride.  Confess then lift the basket to reveal the Light!  Give in to the hope of eternal life, His unconditional, unchanging love, Jesus’ total forgiveness for sin, then shine His Light–giving off that warm glow of being with Him that draws others to Him! 

Be sensationally salty and brightly glowing with Jesus’ power living in and through us!

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 5:13-16, NLT

Teaching about Salt and Light

¹³ “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.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

May Your Light shine in me today.  May what I do help others taste and see what is good and right in knowing you.

In Jesus Name, Amen