YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Passage: Matthew 5:13-16

Key verse: 14

NIV

Salt and Light

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.(A)

14 “You are the light of the world.(B) 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.(C) 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others,(D) that they may see your good deeds(E) and glorify(F) your Father in heaven.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth, (A)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.

14 (B)“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 (C)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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so (D)that[a] they may see your good works and (E)give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 5:16 Or house. 16 Let your light so shine before others that
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

After finishing the Beatitudes, Jesus gives his followers new identities: to be salt of the earth and light of the world. Salt is a valuable commodity used to preserve food, enhance its flavor, and serve other purposes. Salt itself is not the meal, but it makes food edible and lasting. If it does not act like salt, it is worthless. We, as followers of Christ, are called to serve as a preservative in the world against corruption and decay. We are also to enhance the flavor of life by exemplifying Christ’s love, joy, and peace.

Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). He also calls his followers the light of the world because He dwells in their hearts. Light drives out darkness and enables people to see clearly. We light a lamp to give light to everyone in the room. In the same way, Jesus calls us the light of the world so that we may shine his light to those around us. When he says, “Let your light shine before others,” he is calling us to share God’s truth with the people around us.

As Christians, we are no longer living for ourselves but for the world for which God gave his Son. Christ sends us out into the world as salt and light, to be witnesses of God’s love and concern for humanity, both in our words and through our good deeds.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling me to be the salt and light of the world. Help me bring Jesus to others through my words and deeds.

One Word: Let your light shine