Matthew 5:13-20

5 Epiphany | February 5, 2023 | Matthew 5:13-20 | Luther H. Thoresen |

¹³ “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.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ 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 that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (ESV)

Note: 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.

[I usually begin with a “children’s message” 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 – knowing that “going with the flow” of their answers is part of the fun, and the risk of such interactions.

• What good is salt? (hold the salt shaker)
• What good is light? (hold the flashlight)

After the “conversation” about salt and light, I might note that with both of these, the salt and light are useful, but not for “themselves.” They are useful to someone or something else. So, when Jesus said in the gospel reading, “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world” he was saying in part, “You are useful to others.” Light “under a basket” is not helpful or useful. Salt “kept in the shaker” is not helpful or useful. So, today, this week, how can you be useful to others? (take time to receive some answers)

If you would rather not do an “interactive” message with children, you might tell the German folktale, “The Most Indispensable Thing” as found here: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/salt.html#bechstein (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 “You are the salt of the earth” part of what he means is that we are to be useful to others.]

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

You have probably heard it in conversation, as a common English phrase, as a compliment, “You are the salt of the earth.” OR If we used English words in German construction it would be, “The salt of the earth you are.”  OR if we used word order of Yoda from the Star Wars saga, “The salt of the earth are you.”

The emphasis is different, we hear each one a little differently. The words of Jesus for the disciples affirm who they are, “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.” These are not conditioned on the actions of the disciples like, “You will be salt; you will be light if you do thus and so.” Nope, he says simply, “You are salt; you are light.”

In an article on the Working Preacher website a number of years ago, Professor David Lose reminded us that for every negative word or “put down” 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 “loser” enough, over time we live up to that word. If we are called “Nimrod” we will probably NOT think of it as a compliment.

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 – to name someone as a dimwitted or stupid person. So, to call someone “Nimrod” is NOT a compliment! Anyway, if someone is “loser” or “Nimrod” again and again, they may have a very negative self-image over time!

But, if we are called “Salt of the earth…light of the world” over time we may begin to live into these words also!

• God’s promise includes an affirmation of who and whose you are!
• God’s promise includes an affirmation through your baptism that “You are a child of God.”
• God’s promise includes an affirmation, “You are the salt of the earth! You are the light of the world.”

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 (give a little time for pairs to form). Now, I invite you to touch a shoulder or elbow; or hold hands – whatever is comfortable for you. If you prefer not to touch, but only look in each other’s eyes, that’s OK, too!

Now, listen to me, as I say this: “Who is the salt of the earth? You are. You are! Who is the light of the world? You are. You are!” (repeat this one or two more times)

[Note: you might speak that in rhythm, almost like a rap]

Now, I invite you to say it with me, and speak it to each other: “Who is the salt of the earth? You are. You are! Who is the light of the world? You are. You are!” (repeat this one or two more times)

Often when we hear this scripture from Matthew 5 we emphasize “You are the light of the world,” 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 “You are the salt of the earth.”

As with the children’s message, we affirm that salt is important. You know its many uses:

• To season food;
• To melt ice on walks or roads;
• To preserve food;
• To cure animal hides; and more.

You also know that there is such a thing as “too little” or “too much” salt. We will not be expanding into an analogy about each of those uses; like “you add flavor to the world,” or “you help preserve the world,” etc. We will simply stick with “salt is necessary” so, “you are necessary…for the sake of the world.”

For years, we have heard the Nike shoes slogan, “Just Do It!” But for today, Jesus may say, “Just Be It!” That is, “You are the salt…You are the light. Be what you are.” 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.

You heard Jesus, “No one puts a lamp under a basket” 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.

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 be salt? How might we pour ourselves out?

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?

• Loose the bonds of injustice;
• Let the oppressed go free;
• Share your bread with the hungry;
• See the naked and cover them;
• Not hide from your own kin (that is, assist your own family as is helpful and healthy).

That’s a good start. Do those things, Isaiah says, and “Then your light will shine.” By the power of Jesus’ word, you are already “the light,” so shine. However, I’d like to rephrase Isaiah. By the power of Jesus’ word, You are already “the salt,” 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!

Amen+

Now, may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen

Pr. Luther H. Thoresen, ELCA, STS, retired

thoresenluther54@gmail.com