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Daily Scripture: Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. 15 Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. 16 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Reflection Questions:
Jesus called his followers "salt" and "light" for the world. These two images challenge each of us individually, and all of us as a congregation. Salt preserves food and enhances its flavor. Light pierces the darkness, giving clear sight to those who may have been lost, and revealing all the beauty of God's world. God still calls the church—calls us—to be salt and light for our world.
•Have you ever flown over a city at night? Or driven along a highway from the dark countryside into the light of a city? Describe what it felt like to go from darkness to light. What are the dark corners of our city, and of our world, which need to experience the light of God? What can you do to help shine God's light into these dark corners?
•In Jesus' day, with no refrigerators, people preserved food with salt, as well as flavoring it. Jesus said he means his followers to be "the salt of the earth," living in ways that "preserve" what is good in life, and adding flavor to our world. As one writer put it, Jesus did not say, "You are the vinegar of the world"! In what ways are you living out your faith in such a way as to preserve what is good, and flavor life with it?
Today's Prayer:
God, as I go about my life today, keep me ever mindful of the people who need to feel your light in their world. Fill my heart with love for you so overflowing that I cannot keep it hidden. Amen.
Insight from Nancy Hines
Nancy Hines is the Director of Resurrection Resources.
Read and Reflect:
(Head)
Salt and light—an odd pairing of items for us who live in the modern age. Most of us don’t think much about salt unless our doctor has told us to watch our intake of it, or we are trying not to slip on icy steps. But for much of history, salt has been a vital commodity with far-reaching economic, social and even
religious impact.
Cities like Salzburg, Austria (literally ‘city of salt’) flourished because they were near salt mines. Words like salary, salad and salvation trace back to the Latin root word ‘sal-’ or salt. One modern salt maker claims to have identified more than 14,000 different ways we use salt every day—and only about 6% have anything to do with food.
In biblical times, salt was part of daily life. It was used in sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13), to seal covenants (Numbers 18:19), to punish defeated enemies (Judges 9:45) and to purify (2 Kings 2:21). When Jesus called his followers to be salt of the earth, he was saying they were called to change their world. They were to make a difference, make things better, make things new.
Similarly, they were to be light into the darkness, to illuminate the dark corners of their world in such a way that they could no longer be ignored. I cannot read this passage without hearing the
strains of “This Little Light of
Mine”:
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
I don’t remember when I learned that song—maybe at church camp or Vacation Bible School. But it is intertwined with memories of groups gathered around campfires, of mountaintop worship and an overwhelming sense of joy and peace.
Hide it under a bushel? No.
I’m gonna let it shine!
Hide it under a bushel? No.
I’m gonna let it shine!
Being a city on a hill can be wonderful. From the top of the hill you can see for miles, and everyone can see where to find you. But being on top of the hill can be dangerous, too. You are hidden from no one. Jesus was reminding his followers that they were to shine God’s light into the world. God’s light would permeate all the dark corners of their world, and all the dark corners of our world—corners of hurt, heartache, despair and cruelty.A light which is hidden cannot do its job, just as salt which has lost its flavor cannot do its job. We cannot do our job as Christ’s followers if we keep the fact that we are Christ’s followers hidden.
Prayer and Meditation
(Heart)
God, as I go about my life today, keep me ever mindful of the people who need to feel your light in their world. Fill my heart with love for you so overflowing that I cannot keep it hidden. Give me the eyes to see those in my life who need to know of your presence, to hear of your love. Lead me to a place in our world where I can serve you and those around me. May your grace and mercy help me to rise above my own failings to shine your presence to our world. Amen.
Be, Do & Go
(Hands)
Sometime today, take 5 minutes to be still. Reflect on the places in your everyday life where you can be God’s light to the world.
Gracious God, sometimes I am scared to step up, to speak out. Help me to remember that I am not alone because you are always with me. Let me find the courage to be your light in this world so that others may come to know you and may experience the joy of serving you. Amen.
For Discussion:
Use this section to help prompt discussion with your spouse, children, small group, etc.
1. Have you ever experienced flying over a city at night? Or driving along a highway from the dark countryside into the light of a city? Describe what it felt like to go from darkness to light.
2. What are the dark corners of our city, our world, which need to experience the light of God?
3. What can you do to help shine light on these issues/areas?
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