Salt and Light
Salt has a
definitive taste, when there too much in a meal, its evident, when
there isn't enough, there's no mistaking what's missing. Jesus calls
his followers to be distinct. True followers of Christ are never to
dissolve into the backwash of society at large, their presence is
noticeable.
In the region
where Jesus taught, salt was not some chemical compound like it is
for us, their salt came from the earth. When exposed to the elements
unprotected, it lost its flavor. At that point the flavorless
material was thrown upon paths to be used as a sort of gravel for
folks to walk on. Any morsels with flavor stayed close to the rocky
source. Christians are the same way.
Salt was used as a
restorative agent for food, though salt without saltiness could not
do the job. One can imagine, seeing wasted spices must have been
similar to seeing wasted food, a bit sad, but not sadder than seeing
a wasted life. That is what Jesus seems to be saying here: its waste
to be a Christian in name only, an indistinct mesh of everything
others want you to be. The person that wishes to follow Christ should
not separate from Him if they wish to be different and make a
difference.
Christians are
lights that illuminate the lives of others: through their speech,
attitude and good works. Most relationships will fall into two
categories: demanding and refreshing. Demanding relationships are
ones marked by a predisposition of taking, while the other is marked
by the opposite, a giving heart.
May those of us
following in the footsteps of Jesus be people that restore and
refresh the lives of all we come in contact with.
Questions:
- What makes Christians distinct from other people?
- Can you think of a demanding and refreshing relationship in your life? Describe them.
- What gifts do you possess that make you a good refresher?
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