“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.”

– Matthew 5:13-16

Known as the Sermon on the Mount, this passage is a part of one of Jesus’s most well known messages. At this point in His ministry, He was becoming quite popular in the northern Israel region and had gained a large following. He also was developing enemies with the religious leaders as He had claimed to be the Son of God.

In this Scripture, Jesus describes His followers as “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” He explains that those who follow Him have a key role to play in the furtherment of His Kingdom if they choose to shine their light in the darkness. 

This week’s praise is the opportunity we have to help grow the Kingdom of God by being the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”

During the time that Jesus gave this message, salt was the main source for preserving and flavoring foods. Jesus encourages His followers to act as the salt of the earth because salt is unique, it brings out the good, and preserves whatever it is applied to. In the same way, we are called to be different from everyone else, bring out the best in other people, and help preserve Jesus’s ministry. 

While Jesus is the ultimate light of the world, when we choose to follow after Him, He can use us as a vessel to radiate his love and goodness. Jesus calls us to not hide our light, but rather shine it in the darkest places. It can be easy to fall into the trap of being the light whenever life is simple or smooth but, a light shines the brightest when there is utter darkness. 

Rather than simply hiding our light when life gets difficult, we are encouraged to shine our light even in the darkest and hardest times. 

Jesus is the perfect example of living these two applications out. Jesus is the salt of the earth. He is different. He does bring out the best in people. 

Jesus is the light of the world. He is the hope we have to hold onto when all else seems dark and confusing. When Jesus was crucified, the whole city was covered in darkness as The Light had died. Thank God, though, that Jesus arose from the grave and gave us the chance to shine His light in this dark world!  

Friend who is reading this, I am beyond grateful to have had this opportunity to share “Praise and Prayers” with you. It has been my privilege to be able to share the Gospel through this column even in just the few short months we ran these stories. I encourage you to grow your relationship with God and be bold in sharing your faith with others. There is no greater privilege or calling than serving Him! Now, go be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.”

Dear Jesus, thank you for the Sermon on the Mount and the tremendous lessons we can receive from it. Thank you for setting the perfect example of what it means to be the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.” Please help us as we bring out the good from the bad in this world and shine our light in the darkness. Amen.