Sermon on the Mount
“To Put it Another Way”
Having talked about a vast array of human conditions; being poor in spirit; mourning; righteousness; purity; meekness; mercy; peacemaking; persecution – states of being that are not considered especially powerful or even commendable; Jesus declares that they are blessed! And furthermore – there are divine promises given that include the Kingdom of heaven; comfort; the earth; mercy; seeing God… All this is unexpected.
The kinds of “being” and experiences Jesus describes are not the expected context for a life that is blessed. But they are signs that the Kingdom of Heaven is here. For anyone who finds themselves in such a state – this is good news. They are left somewhat blinking in disbelief at this unexpected turn of events. And now Jesus shifts the focus somewhat – but He doesn't change the subject. He addresses this group of “blessed ones” and begins to outline what this means in day-to-day life.
Before, you might say, they sink into their armchair and sigh contentedly and check out from the world. Having the attitude of just waiting for the coming kingdom in all its glory. Coming with all its promises. Having just itemised the Beatitudes - Jesus essentially says:
“Let Me sum up and put it like this. Let Me tell you what this means.”
“You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.”
This is Jesus retelling the Beatitudes in a few sentences. And to make His point He draws on two intriguing metaphors.
Salt and light.
- You are the salt of the earth.
- You are the light of the world.
Salt and light. Both are essential to life. Today salt is so common and inexpensive – we are possibly unaware that up until about 100 years ago, it was the most sought after substance in the world. Throughout history the processing of salt resulted in innovation and invention and international trade. At times, the desire to possess salt resulted in wars. Its uses were vast.
In the Bible it is used in sacrifices to God; to destroy land; to preserve and flavour food; it is rubbed on new-born babies; it is used to seal covenants. The ancient Greek writer Homer called it a divine substance; Plato considered it favoured by the gods; it has been associated with fertility; in Roman times if a man was in love they would refer to him as salax meaning to be in a “salted state”; any number of religions the world over used salt in their worship. Each of us has about 3 salt shaker's worth of salt in our bodies. But we're always losing it and it needs to be replenished.
There is a curious thing about our need for salt. If you are starving you experience hunger. If you need water you experience thirst. But if one day you develop headaches; then weakness; light-headedness; then nausea – it could be a salt deficiency. And deprived long enough of salt you will die. But at no point will you crave salt.
And “light” in anyone's language is essential. A lack of light can be tolerated for a time; but for any extended time it begins to affect a person profoundly. Winter is often a time when problems and issues seem more difficult. While the problems are real enough – it is the lack of sunlight that exasperates the condition. The winter blues are as much about a lack of light as they are about the actual problems people face. Throughout the Bible – “light” is the constant symbol and metaphor for the presence and blessing of God.
It was the first creative word that God spoke. “Let there be light.” It was among the first words recorded in the New Testament (Gospel of John) in describing the arrival of God in the flesh – the life was the light of all people; and the light shone in the darkness and the darkness could not over come it. There in the opening words of John – Jesus is described as the true light. Light has an immediate association with goodness.
This week I received a phone from a person I had not heard from in almost ten years. This person outlined a very tricky situation involving things that are hard to discern and weigh up as human beings. I found that I could use as a reference the Biblical description that in this world there are two Kingdoms. A Kingdom of Light and a Kingdom of Darkness. Not much explanation is required in the midst of a very complicated situation. It is a clear reference point and one that is full of hope.
Salt and light. Jesus draws on these two essential elements to life by way of illustrating the effect of a “Beatitude people” living in the world. Powerful metaphors which stress in your “Beatitude” state – you are salt of the earth and light of the world. The church is essential to life on earth; in this world. There are three features about salt and light which give us understanding about the challenge and call of Jesus as we live in this world for Him. The first feature is common to both salt and light; the other two features are peculiar to one or the other.
First – using salt and light as a metaphor for disciples is to illustrate the simple call to be present. You are the salt of the earth ; you are the light of the world . Both metaphors are comprehensive in their application. As already seen – they are both critical elements for the existence of life on earth. Often needed, maybe seldom thought about consciously, maybe even somewhat taken for granted – but still essential.
But how am I to be present you might ask? Other than the obvious of literally turning up for work; or spending time with people; being open to being involved in this world – you are present as salt and light by being poor in spirit; mourning; meekness; in righteousness; merciful; purity; peacemaking; persecuted – yet in the right spirit.
Being found in the world in these states but being there as a “blessed” son and daughter of God who embraces the Kingdom and awaits the promised rewards. Living according to a different order. Orientated to Jesus. Being present.
The verse about salt comes with a warning.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. "
It seems to state the impossible. What if salt lost its saltiness?
While some can explain the process of how this might happen – Jesus is describing the unthinkable. Yet in doing so – allowing for the possible. What if a disciple lost his or her distinctiveness in the world? What if a church lost its distinctiveness? What if they lost their saltiness? It is a dire warning. Judgment awaits. Later in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus will tell some stories about just this eventuality (house built on sand). The centre of gravity of this distinctiveness is what Christ has done for those who have received Him and as outlined in the Beatitudes.
As crazy as it sounds for salt to lose its saltiness – its crazy to imagine a church losing its identity in Christ. Yet that awful prospect is held out. Awful - because a distinctive witness to the presence of God in the community is as essential as the human need for salt. The reference about salt and its potential loss of saltiness is about “character.” The very stuff that would set us apart so that the world can have a clear vision about the hope that can be theirs.
The second illustration also draws on the hint of the absurd. You can't hide a city on a hill; you don't light a lamp to then cover it up – so why would you not be visible as someone who has encountered the Kingdom of God?
The purpose of the church; the purpose of our lives is to draw attention to the crucial things in life. Here – as the light of the world living as a blessed people – we set about doing good works and draw attention to the Father in heaven. Not ourselves. Not always an easy tension to hold. But just as light is crucial to life on earth – the divine light is crucial in illuminating the Father in heaven to this world. Our good works – done in the right spirit – cause people to encounter God Himself. Maybe that's why the comment about salt comes with a warning and this comment about light comes with an encouragement.
That if we have our distinctiveness sorted out; our character; our saltiness – then the we are in a secure place to be able to perform good works in a way that does glorify God instead of ourselves. Maybe if we find that when we do good works and we end up puffing our chests out – instead of reflecting about the quality of our light, be need to reflect on the quality of our salt.
Conclusion
These two statements of Jesus “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world” are very direct. They are arresting.It's hard to marshal a defence and say “Well – but what do you really mean by that Lord?” The Beatitudes are about the transformation and resurrection power of the Kingdom coming to bear on the human state. It tips convention on its head. Salt and Light are the best way to then explain the implications of having been so blessed. Salt and Light about our responsibility to influence the world with the goal of glorifying the Father.
Presented By: Rev. Geoff New