Day 3

Matthew 5:13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Devotional

In this passage, Matthew is recounting a lesson by Jesus from his famously known “Sermon on the Mount.” During his teaching, Jesus speaks through parables (stories) as he calls his disciples to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.”

So, what is the significance of “salt” and “light”?

Salt. Let’s talk about salt…

In ancient Roman times, salt was a valued commodity. We all know salt as a seasoning that provides flavor to food. But in ancient times, salt was a necessity of life. It was used by many cultures as a preservative, disinfectant, and even a form of currency. By using salt as a metaphor, Jesus is telling us that as believers, we are highly valued. He is also saying that we have a role in preserving his message on this fallen earth, which is constantly threatened and spoiled by the Enemy (Satan). In addition to value and preservation, salt brings flavor. God warns us in this passage that if we lose our flavor, or in other words, our desire to live a faithful life, our value for God’s Kingdom work no longer exists. He might as well throw us out and allow us to be used as ground cover for others to walk on. That’s a tough warning, but it’s an important perspective.

Light. Let’s talk about light…

Jesus tells the disciples they are “the light of the world” and a “city on a hill.” Many of the cities of Judea were constructed on the sides of mountains and could be seen from miles away. I envision Jesus pointing out one of those cities during this sermon, as the disciples notice it on full display for all to see. Jesus is teaching us that, whether we realize it or not, our actions are not hidden. He goes one step further by warning us that not only are we on display, but we also better not “hide our light,” the gift of salvation that has been given to us. Christ has lit the candle of everlasting life in our lives, and it should not be extinguished. It is our responsibility as believers to allow our light to shine so others can see the beauty of God’s message through us.

Prayer

Father God, I pray as I read through this passage that just as the disciples have benefited from your teachings, that I may also continue to learn how to live a life more pleasing to you. Lord, may I take in your teaching like salt, preserving my faith, and bringing precious value to my soul and to those I encounter. I pray I walk faithfully through this broken world and all of its temptations, doing my part to preserve the truth that you so graciously shared with me. Lord, may I be a light in the darkness that shines so brightly that others only see you in me. Amen.

Daily Prayer Initiatives

• Jesus to change more lives as we double the square footage of our Castle Pines location.
• Momentum as we launch our Highlands Ranch location.
• Someone you can invite to Journey on Friend Day (Sunday, September 11)
• One bold prayer you sense God is personally inviting you to pray during the 21 Days.