Tag: Matthew 5:43-45
Salt and Light
Scripture reading for July 22nd: 2nd Kings 4-6, Matthew 5
Matthew 5: 13-16 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the World. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.”
Jesus began to teach His disciples and followers about their identity as designed by God. He used familiar examples of salt and light to help those in darkness of sin understand God’s plan for their lives. Jesus had earlier demonstrated God’s plan to salt the earth’s people with miracles of healing and deliverance and to bring light to those in Satan’s darkness of sin. Each human life is to be like salt–adding God’s “flavor” to their surroundings. Each person is to bear the light of God’s life wherever they are in this world. God’s light shines through us in the good works we do in response to God’s goodness and the infilling Holy Spirit. Christ’s disciples were to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ bringing glory to Father God!
Matthew 5:43-45 “”You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in heaven.””
Prayer: Father God, I often find it hard to believe that my life can be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ to those around me. Fill me again with Your Holy Spirit and bring out the preserving and flavoring ‘salt’ of Your love and goodness. Flood my inner man with Your Word which is a light to my path and brings light to the World. Help me to love my enemies and pray for those who would persecute me and Your followers. Amen!
2nd Kings 5:13-14 “So he (Naaman the Syrian with leprosy) turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you: will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” So he went and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the Word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”