Reflection by Jeff Koch
Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalm 112; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16
“O come, let us worship God and bow low before the God who made us, for he is the Lord our God.”
Lately I have been reminded of the number of times, a passage of Scripture or a teaching of Jesus has expressed, a reality of who we ARE as one of God’s children. NOT a command to become this reality, but what we already ARE. It is how He identifies us. Let me illustrate with our gospel reading today. Jesus says, “you ARE the salt of the earth . . . you ARE the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-16) Jesus is saying we ARE salt and light, and we are here to have an impact in our world as salt and light. There is not anything we can do to become salty, there is nothing that we do to become light. We ARE salt and light!
“Salt at its best sustains and enriches life, Salt exists, not for itself, but to preserve what is around it. It pours itself out so that God’s kingdom might be known on earth.” (Debi Thomas, “Into the Mess, and Other Jesus stories,” p.166) As for light, we learn about light as Jesus comes into the world in John 1:4-5, 9; Light shines into darkness and that darkness cannot overcome it, for it to NOT impact its surrounding, it has to be covered up. Again, salt and light naturally will impact its surroundings, unless something happens to it.
Salt can lose its influence on this world by being diluted; dissolved in water, its nature is thinned and the flavorful ingredients can be washed away. Impurities can impact the nature of the salt and make it bitter. Various additives can change the flavor and make it undesirable. But something must happen to the salt to render it ineffective. Jesus said, when this happens it is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by people. That is somewhat an alarming warning.
A light is intended to be set on a hill, and it will bring light into the whole area. The only way to keep light from having an effect is by putting something over it. The light is unchanged, but its reaching impact is hindered. A bushel or a bowl is something to cover up its natural impact and allow the darkness to continue to reside in the area. Our lives, like salt and light, WILL make a difference, unless something keeps it from its designed purpose.
We see an example. . . As Isaiah addressed the issue of their misconceptions of fasting. They were trying to fast to get God to do something or to pride themselves in what they gave up in their fast to show how spiritual they were; they were missing what God wanted them to do in their fast. It seems fasting was to help them see the needs of others around them. “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them and do not turn your back on your own.” (Isaiah 58:7-10) Doing this was in essence sharing their salt and light into the world around them, this way of fasting is giving of themselves to the needs of others around them But, a problem existed in Isaiah’s day, notice, “if you remove oppression and false accusations and malicious speech . . . then your light shall break forth like the dawn.” These things kept them for letting the salt and light, as it were, to have an impact on their world. So much in our world today can dilute, bring impurities, cover up our lives as they were intended to be lived. Ponder this: What is in our lives, our perspective, our opinions and ways with those around us that hinder the impact of salt and light?
Paul says that it wasn’t with wonderful wisdom or fancy words that they shared in the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ; no, it was with “a demonstration of Spirit and power.” We often think that was just something miraculous, and I’m sure there was an element to that; but what if the power of the Spirit is seen in this reality. Someone prays, “God, I hope you can do this or that.” “God, I need something to happen for me.” At the same time, Spirit is prompting you to give this or that. When their need and your ability cross paths, and you yield to the Spirit and give to their need, that is, I believe a great miracle for today, showing both the love of God and the power of the Spirit, and God gets the glory. Let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
As we approach Lent and we practice some kind of fasting, maybe we can, rather than not eat chocolate or drink soda, we can stop the things that are hindering us from others seeing the salt and light that we ARE in this world. May our eyes be opened to see and may we bring, that which “best sustains and enriches life.” May we shine our light into the darkness, for the darkness cannot overcome or defeat it. You ARE salt of the earth and light to this world!
Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care, that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, they may be defended always by your protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen!