Don’t Forget the Salt
"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 underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
Insight
When I read these verses, I instantly remember the usual points made in a message or devotional.
"You are the salt of the earth." Therefore, we are to preserve God's word in this world, just like salt keeps food.
"You are the light of the world." We don't hide our faith but inspire others and give them a taste of the Kingdom.
One of my favorite things about scripture is reading it over and learning something new. For some reason, I never really come back to this passage because of the typical notes often attached to them. But we also know that "God's word is living and active" (Hebrews 4:12), so there must be more than that one message. God must have more to say about our calling to be salt and light, or at least a new way of explaining it to us so that it may reveal more of Him.
So as I sit and think about salt and light, I ask God to give me an image to help me understand His word more. It's a meal that comes to mind. I think about sitting at my dining room table and setting it for dinner. Plates, silverware, cups, napkins are the obvious things set out, but I can't forget the salt, and I can't forget to turn on the lights. Who wants to eat a bland meal in the dark? If I host a dinner that I have spent hours making and preparing for, I want to make sure it is delivered well. I don't want my guest to sit down at the table and not be able to enjoy a meal to their liking because it is not salty enough (you know people are picky over their salt and pepper), or not be able to see who's sitting across from them because it is dark.
Salt and light are intentional in everything they are used for, especially at the dinner table. Salt gives people the chance to enhance their meal at their desire. Light reveals what's on the table and what's been prepared for them and helps them see what they're about to take in if they choose to pick up the fork. I don't mean to overcomplicate this image or make you freak out at the thought of having people over for dinner. But the truth is, we must use salt and light carefully. If we add too much salt to the veggies or mashed potatoes before our guest gets a taste, they probably aren't going to go back for a second bite. And if we turn on every light in the house and put a bunch of candles on the table, they will feel overexposed, like someone is watching every bite they take. Salt and light have the power to make something taste dry and turn people away, but they also can draw people in and comfort them.
I think this image extends far beyond the dinner table and speaks to our faith. Our words and actions, how we present our faith to people, have the power to make the gospel taste dry and turn people away, just as much as it does to draw people in and comfort them. Salt and light are intentional, and I am confident Jesus used these words so that we wouldn't forget them. So let us set our tables so carefully today, and every day as we remember who's meal we have the honor of preparing and serving to those who sit at our table so that they may taste and see.
Reflection
How are you preparing your table?
Are you rushing to get things on the table so it looks put together?
Are you slowly setting the table so that you can understand the purpose behind each grain of salt and flicker of light?
Are you intentional with your salt and careful with your light?
What does it look like for you to be intentional with your salt and cautious with your light today?
Prayer
Lord, we thank you for revealing yourself and your word to us in new ways every day. We thank you for being an active and living God, working hard to make sure we understand our calling. We thank you for the feast you have prepared for us that we enjoy daily. You provide the meal Lord; we just set the table. Let us not forget that we are servants of your table. The truth that we prepare space for people to taste and see your goodness is something we do not want to forget. Guide us today; let our words so carefully point back to you, the giver of every good and perfect thing. We pray all of these things in your precious and holy name, amen.
Port City writer Sam Slezak wrote today's devotional.