DELIGHTFULLY DIFFERENT
Opening Prayer
Mighty God, I praise You for the truth that nothing in life or death can separate me from Your love (Rom. 8:30).
Read Matthew 5:13–16
Salt and Light
13 “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.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘Jesus, light of the world, may my thoughts, my words, my actions honor you today. Amen.’Having described the kind of person who is welcomed in God’s kingdom, Jesus now explains how these people bring God’s kingdom into the world. By using the analogies of salt and light (two everyday yet essential items), Jesus makes his point – spiritually poor, unremarkable, meek kingdom people will have a radical effect on society around them.
Galilean fishermen relied on salt to preserve their catch. Salt prevented rottenness and ensured their salted fish would survive the export journey to grace the tables of Rome. Jesus’ implication is that society, left to its own devices, will turn rotten. Our world needs kingdom people living out God’s values in order to preserve what is good and counter the decay. Similarly, Jesus’ light analogy implies that the world is a dark place. Without light we stumble, fall, and are hurt. If we have light but hide it (v15), we are doing everyone a disservice.
Just as salt is different from the food it preserves and light is different from darkness, followers of Jesus will be different, distinctive, and uncompromising. It won’t always be appreciated, but it is necessary.
Apply
Where do you see rottenness or darkness in your workplace, your community, or in your networks of friends and family? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words and direct what you do so that you might be ‘salt’ and ’light.’
Closing prayer
Father God, I admit my natural inclination is to withdraw into my circle of Christian friends. Push me out into the broken and dark world to be salt and light, pointing to the hope You can bring.
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