Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Just after the Beatitudes, where Jesus turns the normal, run-of-the-mill, follow-all-these-rules-and-you’ll-be-saved idea on its head, he shocks the listeners with this metaphor:
“You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13.
Salt was vital and life-giving in the ancient world. It was used for healing, cleansing wounds and preserving. Covenants entered were called “salt covenants,” agreements that were well-preserved, unbreakable.
Jesus says – YOU are the salt of the earth. YOU are vital and life-giving. YOU are used for healing and cleansing and preserving.
The text doesn’t say, “you should be salt of the earth,” or “please be salt of the earth.” It’s not even a command. Jesus is giving his followers their identity in him, and that identity is healers, cleansers, preservers.
In the same way, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” You cast out darkness. You illuminate that which we cannot see. You are a beacon of light someone can see from far away. You are part of the first thing God ever created: light.
As Jesus does, it reframes our normal human tendencies to earn God’s love. It changes our question. Instead of “how can I follow all the rules in order to be light, or be salt?” it’s more, “I am salt. I am light. Help me recognize it; help me live it.”
As you go into the world searching for God’s kingdom, know that you are a vital part of that kingdom. God intended you to be there since Creation. What will you do with the light you have been given? What will you do with the preserving, healing, cleansing powers you’ve been gifted?
