{"id":16190,"date":"2023-01-31T08:39:30","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T07:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theologie.whp.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/?p=16190"},"modified":"2023-01-31T08:39:30","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T07:39:30","slug":"matthew-513-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/matthew-513-20\/","title":{"rendered":"Matthew 5:13-20"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>5 Epiphany | February 5, 2023 |\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Matthew 5:13-20 | Luther H. Thoresen |<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><sup>13\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>\u201cYou are the salt of the earth,\u00a0but 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&#8217;s feet.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><sup>14\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>\u201cYou are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.\u00a0<strong><sup>15\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>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.\u00a0<strong><sup>16\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>In the same way, let your light shine before others, so\u00a0that\u00a0they may see your good works and\u00a0give glory to your Father who is in heaven.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><sup>17\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>\u201cDo not think that I have come to abolish\u00a0the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but\u00a0to fulfill them.\u00a0<strong><sup>18\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>For truly, I say to you,\u00a0until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.\u00a0<strong><sup>19\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>Therefore whoever relaxes\u00a0one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least\u00a0in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great\u00a0in the kingdom of heaven.\u00a0<strong><sup>20\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds\u00a0that of the scribes and Pharisees, you\u00a0will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (<em>ESV<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> You might have 1) a bag of sidewalk salt, 2) a salt shaker, and 3) a flashlight visible in the chancel at a place appropriate for you.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[I usually begin with a \u201cchildren\u2019s message\u201d that leads into the main portion of the sermon. Today, this might be done 1) by having on hand a salt shaker and a flashlight; and 2) by interacting with children about these questions \u2013 knowing that \u201cgoing with the flow\u201d of their answers is part of the fun, and the risk of such interactions.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What good is salt? (hold the salt shaker)<\/li>\n<li>What good is light? (hold the flashlight)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the \u201cconversation\u201d about salt and light, I might note that with both of these, the salt and light are useful, but not for \u201cthemselves.\u201d They are useful to someone or something else. So, when Jesus said in the gospel reading, \u201cYou are the salt of the earth\u2026You are the light of the world\u201d he was saying in part, \u201cYou are useful to others.\u201d Light \u201cunder a basket\u201d is not helpful or useful. Salt \u201ckept in the shaker\u201d is not helpful or useful. So, today, this week, how can you be useful to others? (take time to receive some answers)<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you would rather not do an \u201cinteractive\u201d message with children, you might tell the German folktale, \u201cThe Most Indispensable Thing\u201d as found here: <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.pitt.edu\/~dash\/salt.html#bechstein\">https:\/\/sites.pitt.edu\/~dash\/salt.html#bechstein<\/a> (there are similar tales from multiple cultures around the world). You might conclude noting how essential salt can be in our lives; that it is only useful when used and not in the salt shaker. So also, when Jesus says \u201cYou are the salt of the earth\u201d part of what he means is that we are to be useful to others.]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have probably heard it in conversation, as a common English phrase, as a compliment, \u201cYou are the salt of the earth.\u201d OR If we used English words in German construction it would be, \u201cThe salt of the earth you are.\u201d\u00a0 OR if we used word order of Yoda from the Star Wars saga, \u201cThe salt of the earth are you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The emphasis is different, we hear each one a little differently. The words of Jesus for the disciples affirm who they are, \u201cYou are the salt of the earth \u2026 You are the light of the world.\u201d These are not conditioned on the actions of the disciples like, \u201cYou will be salt; you will be light if you do thus and so.\u201d Nope, he says simply, \u201cYou <u>are<\/u> salt; you <u>are<\/u> light.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In an article on the Working Preacher website a number of years ago, Professor David Lose reminded us that for every negative word or \u201cput down\u201d it takes 7-10 positive words to build us back up. Also, he reminds us that we tend to become what we hear. So if we are called \u201closer\u201d enough, over time we live up to that word. If we are called \u201cNimrod\u201d we will probably NOT think of it as a compliment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: Some of us know that Nimrod is indeed a minor biblical character, and a number of legends have grown up about this character over time in Jewish, Christian and Islamic circles. However, in modern North American English the name is used as an insult \u2013 to name someone as a dimwitted or stupid person. So, to call someone \u201cNimrod\u201d is NOT a compliment! Anyway, if someone is \u201closer\u201d or \u201cNimrod\u201d again and again, they may have a very negative self-image over time!<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, if we are called \u201cSalt of the earth\u2026light of the world\u201d over time we may begin to live into these words also!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>God\u2019s promise includes an affirmation of who and whose you are!<\/li>\n<li>God\u2019s promise includes an affirmation through your baptism that \u201cYou are a child of God.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>God\u2019s promise includes an affirmation, \u201cYou are the salt of the earth! You are the light of the world.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have heard it in scripture. You have heard it even from me. Can you hear it from each other? I invite you to find a partner. I ask you to form small groups of two or three people as you are in close proximity to each other (<em>give a little time for pairs to form<\/em>). Now, I invite you to touch a shoulder or elbow; or hold hands \u2013 whatever is comfortable for you. If you prefer not to touch, but only look in each other\u2019s eyes, that\u2019s OK, too!<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, listen to me, as I say this: \u201cWho is the salt of the earth? You are. You are! Who is the light of the world? You are. You are!\u201d (<em>repeat this one or two more times<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[Note: you might speak that in rhythm, almost like a rap]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, I invite you to say it with me, and speak it to each other: \u201cWho is the salt of the earth? You are. You are! Who is the light of the world? You are. You are!\u201d (<em>repeat this one or two more times<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often when we hear this scripture from Matthew 5 we emphasize \u201cYou are the light of the world,\u201d in part because it goes well with many of the other scriptures in this Epiphany season that use the image of light in various ways. In addition, there are many songs and hymns that use the image of light. However, for today, we are going to stay with \u201cYou are the salt of the earth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with the children\u2019s message, we affirm that salt is important. You know its many uses:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To season food;<\/li>\n<li>To melt ice on walks or roads;<\/li>\n<li>To preserve food;<\/li>\n<li>To cure animal hides; and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You also know that there is such a thing as \u201ctoo little\u201d or \u201ctoo much\u201d salt. We will not be expanding into an analogy about each of those uses; like \u201cyou add flavor to the world,\u201d or \u201cyou help preserve the world,\u201d etc. We will simply stick with \u201csalt is necessary\u201d so, \u201cyou are necessary\u2026for the sake of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For years, we have heard the Nike shoes slogan, \u201cJust Do It!\u201d But for today, Jesus may say, \u201cJust Be It!\u201d That is, \u201cYou are the salt\u2026You are the light. Be what you are.\u201d I have a bag of salt here. Will my sidewalk be OK tomorrow? Maybe. I have a salt shaker. Will my lunch tomorrow be seasoned? Maybe. With both of these, they must be poured out. In the bag or in the shaker the salt has potential, but it is useless until it is poured out. Then it is useful.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You heard Jesus, \u201cNo one puts a lamp under a basket\u201d for that would make it useless. Instead he says one puts it on a lampstand to give light to all in the house and that makes it useful. In a similar way, we are salt to be poured out and then we become useful.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poured out? You may recall that Jesus poured himself out on our behalf! He poured out his lifeblood so that we might live. We pour out our life so that we might share the life of Jesus with others! So, how can we <u>be<\/u> salt? How might we pour ourselves out?<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the first reading from Isaiah 58 today the image of light was used, but the actions could be the same. You are salt and pour yourself out, and what?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Loose the bonds of injustice;<\/li>\n<li>Let the oppressed go free;<\/li>\n<li>Share your bread with the hungry;<\/li>\n<li>See the naked and cover them;<\/li>\n<li>Not hide from your own kin (that is, assist your own family as is helpful and healthy).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s a good start. Do those things, Isaiah says, and \u201cThen your light will shine.\u201d By the power of Jesus\u2019 word, you are already \u201cthe light,\u201d so shine. However, I\u2019d like to rephrase Isaiah. By the power of Jesus\u2019 word, You are already \u201cthe salt,\u201d so, do these things and then you will be useful! The law and courts have a role, but so do we. You are the salt of the earth! Just Be It!<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amen+<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Now, may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pr. Luther H. Thoresen, ELCA, STS, retired<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"mailto:thoresenluther54@gmail.com\">thoresenluther54@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>5 Epiphany | February 5, 2023 |\u00a0Matthew 5:13-20 | Luther H. Thoresen | 13\u00a0\u201cYou are the salt of the earth,\u00a0but 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&#8217;s feet. 14\u00a0\u201cYou are the light of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16164,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,157,108,110,150,1132,3,109],"tags":[],"beitragende":[],"predigtform":[],"predigtreihe":[],"bibelstelle":[],"class_list":["post-16190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-matthaeus","category-beitragende","category-current","category-engl","category-kapitel-5-chapter-5","category-luther-h-thoresen","category-nt","category-predigten"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16190"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16191,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16190\/revisions\/16191"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16190"},{"taxonomy":"beitragende","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/beitragende?post=16190"},{"taxonomy":"predigtform","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/predigtform?post=16190"},{"taxonomy":"predigtreihe","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/predigtreihe?post=16190"},{"taxonomy":"bibelstelle","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologie.uzh.ch\/apps\/gpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bibelstelle?post=16190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}