Living the Story: Salt/Light
This week, as we seek to understand Jesus’ teachings, read through Matthew 5:13-16. Here Jesus uses two analogies that I believe can be very real to us today. He refers to His folowers as “salt” and “light”
What does it mean to be salt in the world?
How do you interpret the idea that “unsalty” salt is only good for being trampled upon?
What does it mean to be light in the world?
What does this tell us about darkness?
What are other places you are familiar with in Scripture that talk about light and darkness?
These Scriptures have some rich meaning for us and some intense implications as well if we take them seriously.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
June 6th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
I am very excited that Dean is teaching this series from the Sermon on the MOunt. This is the area of Christ’s greatest teachings. It is where Christ teaches all we need to know to answer our questions about living the Christian life. Several years ago a teacher challenged me to read the Sermon on the Mount every day for one month. I accomplished this and was amazed at how much power there is in this section of scripture. Each time I read the 3 chapters I learned something new. This was a life changing experience. I have started doing this again along with Dean’s teachings and would welcome anyone else to try this as well. Just read Matthew 5,6, and 7 one time each day for a month. At the end of the month you will not want to stop because of the exciting new information you are still pulling from this passage. It will bless your life and give you a tremendous experience.
June 8th, 2006 at 9:53 am
I get very nervous when I post comments on here. I never know exactly how to articulate what I want to say. That being said, last night we really talked through this. There were a lot of great interpretations of what being the salt means. Salt enhances the flavor of something and it preserves. I am having a hard time understanding what Jesus meant by that.
Any ideas?
Being the light of the world was easier for me to understand. To me being in the light is being with Jesus. When you are Christ like you emanate a light that people are naturally drawn to.
June 8th, 2006 at 9:55 am
I should clarify that I am having a hard time understanding what Jesus meant by saying we are the salt of the earth. I guess I should proofread next time
June 8th, 2006 at 11:10 am
When we discussed the attributes of salt in our home group last night, it was amazing to me to discover the different characteristics of salt. Not only is salt a preservative, a flavoring agent, but it was also a unit of trade, a precious commodity and a currency. We did have one thought though…we could all pretty much agree that all the uses for salt were all positive. The only time we realized that salt is a bad thing, is when there is too much of it.
Thoughts?
June 8th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Over the last two years I have learned a lot about changing my focus in life and seeing things differently. When we start to see what God sees, our lives change and our view of others is altered. When we believe and live according to God’s word and Christ’s example, our lives become different. Studying the beatitudes and salt and light has been a continuation of that process for me. As our home group went through the study we lived out the Pathways Core Value of “Struggle” by asking questions and dialoging, but not really reaching definitive answers. We were struck by the fact that we already are salt and light, it is not something we are having to work to become but rather walk in.
Am I passionate enough about God’s ways to really be salt and light or do I shy away from it for something that is more comfortable? Am I willing to reach past my own selfishness for others?
(P.S. I’m thankful for a community that is willing to live out the value of “Struggle”.)
June 9th, 2006 at 6:52 am
I understand what Sherie is saying about actually being the salt and light, and for me it is not so much shying away from it for comfort’s sake as it is being afraid of living up to that ideal every minute of every day and risking not being all of that or worst yet, a bad example of a Christian in non-Christian’s eyes. Many people that I work with will no longer attend church because of the hypocracy that they witnessed throughout their lives, and it worries me that they may see me in a weak moment not being the salt or light and dismiss me as just another hypocrite.
June 9th, 2006 at 8:52 am
I think that in our culture many people equate being a Christian to being perfect.I know I did before I became a follower of Jesus. It really does change things when you don’t expect people to be perfect. Being the salt and light doesn’t mean we are perfect. After all, we are all just sinners.
June 9th, 2006 at 11:02 am
I am a hypocrite and so I can agree with anyone who accuses me of it. I’m broken. I’m spiritually bankrupt and Jesus is the only one who can do anything about my brokenness.
I think that we as Christians need to learn to live in this reality and this humility. We must lead out of this, not out of arrogance and “having it all together.” It is then when the most damaging hypocrisy takes place – pretending we’re better than others and proving we are not.
June 12th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
I like this, a lot to chew on this week. To respond to Josh’s comment on “The only time we realized that salt is a bad thing, is when there is too much of it.” I agree, salt is an enhancer, not a meal in itself. So let’s enhance the message of Christ, Love God, Love Others. Another problem I fall into as a (struggling) follower of Christ, is that too often I am trying to “carry the light” for others, in order to point out their shortcomings.