Matthew chapter four concludes with Jesus teaching and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom while healing people from various afflictions, diseases, and sicknesses. He then gathers this crowd along with his disciples and begins to teach the Beatitudes at the beginning of Matthew chapter 5. Jesus ends that portion of His teaching with these words:
Matthew 5:13-16 ESV "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all 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 who is in heaven.
Salt enhances flavor, preserves food, and keeps it from rotting. As the salt of the earth, we believers enhance things with the kingdom of God, which is righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit. We also go into places where things seem to be rotting and bring preservation.
Light expels darkness. Imagine if we collectively began to shine brightly in the pillars of society and our spheres of influence; how much more would darkness be expelled? As the light of the world, we are not to be hidden or bashful; after all, darkness isn't! We are the "essential." If we don't show up as His sons and daughters, then the world is stuck in darkness. We have a responsibility as a team to fulfill the mission of Christ.
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