Can you imagine soup that has no spices in it—just water, vegetables, and pieces of meat? It still qualifies as soup, and it still provides nutrition, but it lacks flavor. Spices and salt, in particular, “awaken” soup to a higher level. It brings “dead” soup to life.
And, can you imagine camping out with no campfire. The tents and sleeping bags are there, and it qualifies as “camping out,” but something is missing. The campfire becomes a source of light in the darkness of the night. It also provides warmth and is a center of unity around which campers gather. The campfire brings camping out to a higher, more meaningful level. It brings “dead” camping to life.
Jesus must have been thinking about sitting around a campfire eating a bowl of soup when he tried to explain to his disciples who they were and how important their mission was (Matthew 5:13-16).
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
Notice that Jesus didn’t say “like” salt or “a source of” salt, but the salt. There is no other salt source on the earth except the disciples of Jesus Christ. They have the unique mission of mixing Jesus into the various “soups” of life. Without Jesus everything is tasteless. Without Jesus there is no hope in the world. Without Jesus life on this earth has no meaning. Disciples who are alive with the Holy Spirit bring the presence of Jesus into every situation. How critical, then, that disciples do not lose their flavor and become “dead” salt. How can “dead” salt bring life to a bowl of soup?
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.”
Once again Jesus says the light of the world, rather than “like a light” or “one source of light.” Without Jesus everything is in darkness. There is no meaning or hope in life. Humans can manufacture physical light, but they cannot manufacture spiritual light. Only the disciples of Jesus have the power, by the Holy Spirit, to bring true meaning and hope to life. There is no substitute for them. It is critical, then, that they do not hide their light but put it on a lampstand so that everyone can see. If, out of fear or laziness, a disciple of Jesus hides his light under the bed or in a closet, that light will go out and the world will remain stuck in darkness.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, are we not overwhelmed at the identity we have and the awesome mission that is ours? The world, especially as we experience it today, is “saltless” soup and a “fireless” camp. Are we content to let it remain that way? Are we careful to hide our lights less others laugh at us? Do we fall for the counterfeit salt and light that the empty philosophies of the world offer us?
We have just celebrated Pentecost in which we’ve let the fire of the Holy Spirit come in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is salt and light. Being alive in the power of the Holy Spirit keeps us as fresh salt and beaming light. Just as we depend on Jesus, so he is depending on us, right now.
