Salt of the Earth, Light of the World

  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16, New King James Version)

 For the last month or so, I've been sharing the songs from the musical "Godspell." This week, I'm writing about "Light of the World," taken from Matthew, the fifth chapter.

Even if these verses aren't familiar to you, you've undoubtedly heard of someone being called "the salt of the earth," referring to someone who is honest, worthy, and hardworking. That phrase comes from these verses from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount.

During Biblical times, salt was a precious commodity, so much so that it was sometimes used for money. In fact, the Latin word for salt – sal – is where we get the term "salary."

As valuable as salt was at the time, virtuous people were just as important to God. People who worked as common laborers – fishermen, shepherds, craftsmen, who didn't have diamonds or jewels, but knew the value of a hard day's work. If they lost that ethic, they would be useless, just as salt would be if it lost its flavor.

So, we are to be "the salt of the earth" – honest, worthy and hardworking. We also are to be the "light of the world."

Ever since man has walked on this earth, light has been significant. It has kept enemies at bay, shown the way when things were dark, and been a comfort in times of fear. Of course, there was one darkness haunting us all, which no earthly light could lift. The darkness of sin. When Jesus came to live among us, He was the Light that could overcome sin.

He is the ultimate Light of the World. But by believing and by sharing His word, sharing His Light, we can be the light of the world for others.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming to this earth to live among us and to save us from our sins. Amen.

 Here are the links to find out more and hear versions of the song:

               Version of the song from the movie:       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivBFmfvSTS8

               Some websites with more insights into these verses:

 https://www.thespectrum.com/story/life/features/mesquite/2017/01/05/being-salt-and-light/96156630/

 https://www.theologyofwork.org/new-testament/matthew/the-kingdom-of-heaven-at-work-in-us-matthew-5-7/salt-and-light-in-the-world-of-work-matthew-513-16

Not a salt mine. A diatomite mine in Kenya, instead, the closest picture I had.