Salt and light
by Pastor Peter Bean
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Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Read Matthew 5:13–20
Salt has its purposes. Light has it uses. We could list them. Both need to be present in the right measure. When used positively, both enhance the world we live in.
This is my translation of the passage today:
You are the seasoning of the world. Bring out God-pleasing flavours in all you encounter, all you do. Don’t overuse them or you’ll spoil the effect. You are the light (as I am the light). Don’t hide this light, no matter what sort it is, no matter how strong or weak. For you, it is the perfect time to shine into the lives of those you encounter. The Law? What do you think of it? Does it need to be kept religiously? Would you rather do away with it, or ignore it? Neither of these is my way. I perfect the Law and fulfil the Prophets. You can join me – by being the seasoning you are, by sharing the light you have and thus be righteous, living in me as I live in you. Then you don’t need to worry about Pharisaical stuff, but can concentrate on what is important.
If I’ve managed to get the gist of what Jesus is saying, it is this: I have fulfilled the law. When you live in me: being salt or seasoning, providing light, you too fulfil the Law, you live as righteous people, practising grace and forgiveness. Living out mercy, justice and acceptance. We all do this differently.
It is only through grace and forgiveness that I can possibly be salt and light in the world. Only through the love of Jesus, can I work out which seasoning to be and how much of it to use; it’s only through the love of Jesus that I can work out which light I am and where and how to make it shine.
Then, even though it is a constant struggle, our righteousness will exceed that of the Pharisees; then we can know and live God’s love and encourage others to know and live in God’s love. Then we’ll bring out the God-flavours and the God-colours of this world.
Gift Giver, help me to bring God-pleasing flavours and colours to the world. Amen.
Peter is often out tending his garden – with 83 fruit and nut trees and extensive native bushes, he says there is a lot to do! Other times, he will be walking his dog, reading (too many books at a time), enjoying his family (15 grandchildren!), and occasionally writing – poetry, opinion pieces, devotions! He also tries to fit in a bike ride each day. To keep out of mischief, he is currently teaching himself to play the piano and is writing a paraphrase of each psalm. You can read these on his website, Creative Walking.
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