"Will Your Light Shine Like The Dawn?"

Is. 58:7-10 & Mt. 5:13-16

The disciples of Jesus gathered around Him to listen to what He had to say to them. They were in for a pleasant surprise! In two magnificent phrases Jesus complimented them and explained their role in the world.

Firstly, He said “You are the salt of the earth.” That must have set them thinking. How could they be? They were aware that salt was a major preservative of food. Apart from Christ we are corruptible and corrupting, but with Christ we can perform a saving, preserving function in a perishing world. “If salt”, says Jesus, “becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again?”

Today we experience salt primarily in its pure form, and pure salt cannot lose its saltiness. The salt that came from the Dead Sea, however, was mixed with other material. When exposed to the weather, the salt tended to be lost, leaving only what appeared to be salt. That is why Jesus said, “If salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.”

The second compliment that Jesus gave to His disciples was to say, “You are the light of the world.” Light has a self-evident meaning. Jesus called Himself the Light of the world. We take our light from Him. When Simeon took the baby Jesus in His arms he said to Him, “You are the light of the Gentiles.” Christ is the “great light” seen by those who walk in darkness (Mt. 4:16), but Jesus also declared His people to be the light of the world. Jesus said we do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel, but on a stand where it can light the whole house. Without Christ we are unlighted lamps, but He lights His lamps that they may give light to all.

Just what kind of “salt” and “light” are we in the world? How do we function as salt in the world? Salt often does its work without being seen, but it cannot hide from our taste buds. Sprinkle salt over a plate of bland food and it draws out its flavour. It is then that it leaves no doubts as to its presence and its usefulness. And so what we do for Christ may not always be openly visible, but nonetheless, it makes an obvious difference.

How do we let our lights shine? Light is seen. Light shines. Jesus Himself says He is speaking of our “good works.” Jesus is confident that His disciples have something which is worth showing and sharing. In the first reading Isaiah indicates how we can let our light shine. “Share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, clothe the man you see to be naked and turn not from your own kin. Then will your light shine like the dawn.”

So by doing good, by being caring and thoughtful people we will truly be the light of the world like Jesus. Christ’s call is simple. He does not ask us to move mountains nor to transform a whole culture. He does not call us to tasks that lie outside our abilities and capacities. Good deeds are usually simple deeds. If someone you know and trust, a physician, perhaps, says to you, 'I will do what I can' it is all you need to hear. God calls each of us to do, with His help, what we can. Being salt and light simply means doing what we can.

Jesus concludes by telling us that the good works we do are not to redound to our honour and glory but to that of His Father. How right He is for we can only do good by the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for these two compliments you give us. With the help of Your Holy Spirit may we be true salt in drawing the flavour of good works from the lives of all those we meet. May our lights shine so brightly in the sight of men that seeing our good works they may give the praise to our Father in Heaven.