“Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19) Simon Peter and Andrew, James, and John must have discerned something compellingly attractive and irresistible about Jesus’ call. They renounced everything and obediently surrendered themselves to following Jesus, not into wealth and worldly power but into a lowly life, yet a life of love.
That day on the mountain was life-affirming for the disciples. The crowds surrounded Jesus, awe-struck by His every word. They sat close to him; at His feet, and He taught them. Jesus’ teaching assured the disciples that by entering a deep relationship of genuinely humble, submissive trust with Him they chose the true way of life in all its fullness. Consequently, their lives expressed godly virtues such as meekness, mercy, and purity of heart. For these virtues, they will experience current and future blessedness, even in the face of persecution. The Beatitudes which we read last Sunday, lay the foundation for this Sunday’s reading, the second portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-20).
Living the Beatitudes authentically demands more than self-centered joy and bliss with God in Christ. Instead, God engages the disciples in the higher calling of drawing others into God’s kingdom. By their lives and teaching they will extend God’s grace to all people. Jesus, therefore, declares to the disciples, “you are the salt of the earth………” In biblical times salt was an important element of the spiritual life. Levitical laws required salt to be a part of sacrificial offerings, “with all your offerings you shall offer salt” (Leviticus 2:13). Salt was also used for purification, seasoning, and as a preservative of meats and other foods. As disciples, Jesus’ followers were called to courageously take His sanctifying flavor to God’s people, so that they may be purified and preserved to eternal life.
Jesus further declares, “You are the light of the world….” Jesus, Himself is the true light of the world (John 8:12). He came from God to enlighten the darkness of the world, emitting the “shining radiance” of God, the source of all light. Christ’s light illumines life’s way, bringing clarity and understanding. Christ’s light is vital to life itself. Christ shone His glorious light into the disciples, so they would partake of His glory and join in becoming shining lights like “a city built on a hill.” The light of Christ in the disciples later became so compellingly attractive that thousands yearned to know Christ and the power of His salvation.
Jesus Christ is Himself salt and light. His declaration, “you are salt…. You are light…” points to Christ’s self-giving nature. Christ gives Christ’s own self as a gift so we may be filled with His character. We receive His gifts of salt and light as we grow into a deep submissive relationship with Him, and we pass on the gifts of salt and light to others by our way of being in Christ. What blessings our Divine Lord pours upon the disciples and us! We, mere weak humans, may share in His Divine nature! We, weak humans, are gifted to share in His mission of reconciling humankind to God by being the salt and light that shows forth His image of love, divine mercy, and goodness! Ultimately, our life’s purpose as followers is to glorify God. We dare not hide our light under a bushel basket or diminish our saltiness! Instead, we strive to make God’s goodness compellingly irresistible!!
Prayer: Enable us, O Lord, to shine Your radiant light in the shadows of an unbelieving world. Amen.
