Living as Salt and Light: A Community Shaped by Jesus
As we continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Jesus is moving from introduction to application, calling His followers to embody a new way of being human—one that reflects God’s original design for humanity. In this next section, He gives us a profound and enduring charge:
"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)
At the heart of this passage is a simple but powerful truth: when we follow Jesus, God’s light shines through us, revealing the way to true life.
A Covenant of Salt
To fully grasp what Jesus means by salt, we must look to the Old Testament, where salt frequently appears in the context of covenants:
"Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings." (Leviticus 2:13)
"Don’t you know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?" (2 Chronicles 13:5)
Salt served as a preservative, symbolizing the enduring nature of God’s covenant—His unwavering faithfulness. It also carried connotations of friendship; to "pass the salt" was an act of sharing and relationship. To be salt, then, is to live as people in covenant with God, embodying His faithfulness and extending His friendship to the world.
A Light to the Nations
The imagery of light is also deeply rooted in the Old Testament. In Isaiah, God calls Israel to be a light to the nations:
"I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles." (Isaiah 42:6)
"I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6)
Yet Israel struggled to fulfill this role. Enter Jesus, who declares in John 8:12:
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Jesus, the true light, then turns to His followers and declares: "You are the light of the world." Just as one candle lights another, so we, through Jesus, become bearers of His light, illuminating the way for others.
Living as Salt and Light
1. Salt and Light is a Community Calling
A key detail in Jesus’ words is often overlooked: He speaks in the plural. In Southern terms, He’s saying, "All y’all are the salt of the earth. All y’all are the light of the world." This is not an individual charge but a communal one. The church—God’s gathered people—is called to embody His covenant and shine His light together.
2. Salt and Light is Invitational, Not Confrontational
Unfortunately, this passage has sometimes been misused to justify a posture of judgment toward the world. But Jesus does not call us to be moral gatekeepers. Salt preserves and enhances; light reveals and welcomes. Isaiah 42 continues by telling Israel they are to be a light to the nations by:
"Opening eyes that are blind, freeing captives from prison and releasing from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."
When Jesus, the ultimate light of the world, announced His mission in Luke 4:18-19, He spoke of proclaiming good news to the poor, freeing the oppressed, and restoring sight to the blind. To be salt and light is to participate in this mission—to embody God’s justice, mercy, and restoration.
How Are We Salt and Light at Redemption Orlando?
At Redemption Orlando, we seek to live out this calling in tangible ways:
We Love Without Fear. We embrace radical hospitality, welcoming all with the love of Christ.
We Build Wells, Not Fences. Instead of defining boundaries that exclude, we create spaces where people can encounter the living water of Jesus.
We Practice the Way of Jesus. Through discipleship, service, and worship, we daily align our lives with His.
Being salt and light is not about imposing morality but inviting the world into the beauty of God’s kingdom. It’s a call to faithful presence, enduring friendship, and radiant hope.
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