A Disciple-Maker's Identity as Salt and Light
Originally Published on The Salt and Light Daily by Paul Christopher.
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SALT AND LIGHT: THE IDENTITY OF A DISCIPLE-MAKER
By Kevin E Beasley
Name (noun): A word or set of words by which a person, animal, place, thing, or concept is known, addressed, or referred to. (dictionary.com)
In other words, a name is a label that gives identity and allows for recognition or distinction. I am known by my name, and my name represents who I am in relation to others. In biblical thought, a name wasn’t just a tag; it expressed essence, destiny, or role. That’s why God changes names (Abram → Abraham, Saul → Paul). He’s marking a new identity and purpose.
In Matthew 5-7, we have recorded the longest of the eight long-form sermons that Jesus taught while on Earth. There were many times throughout scripture that he “renamed” individual people, but in this sermon, He NAMED those who follow Him. That discourse on the hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee spoke volumes about who we are as we become disciples and disciple-makers in our respective mission fields!
Salt and Light | Preservation and Illumination
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”
- Jesus in Matthew 5:13-14
Salt of the Earth. Light of the World.
Those are not small identities! Each of them carries a suggestion of a worldwide impact. Each of them points a finger to the fact that our role as Salt and Light is not for a future glory in eternity, but for here and now. For TODAY, not later. We are living in the “here and now,” and our identity is as SALT and LIGHT. We are the preservation and illumination that bring glory to the Father and honor to His Son. We are the Preservers of His promise and the Light to illuminate His Good News.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE THE SALT OF THE EARTH?
Here are three ideas that Jesus may have been pointing to when He identified us as the Salt of the Earth.
Preservation
Salt has been used as a preservative in ancient and modern times. It is known to slow and even stop the growth of bacteria, mold, and decay. It draws moisture out of cells and bacteria, leading to the “drying up” of unhealthy substances.
No Water = No Life = No Rot!Purity
Salt in its natural form is pure white and is often used to symbolize purity and cleanliness. In ancient times and in its refined form, it was considered free of corruption.Promise
Salt was used in Levitical offerings (Lev 2:13) as a symbol of the enduring covenant and Jesus is the New Covenant in His blood. As His followers, we are the subject of His Promise!
So, when salt is salty, it fulfills the work for which it was called! At the top of Jesus’ call to His followers was the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). As we go, we are functioning as the Salt of the Word of God, we PRESERVE the message, walk in His PURITY, and live into the PROMISE of our Messiah!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD?
Light is illumination, and illumination brings clarity, and clarity drives out confusion.
Wow! There’s no better word to describe the culture and world we live in than confusion, right? So, what does it mean to be a Light?
Reveals What’s Hidden
Light helps both us and our disciples find things that would otherwise be hidden - in scripture, in the dark recesses of our heart, and in God’s illumination of Himself through creation.Guides the Way
Psalm 119:105 says that the Word of God is a “lamp to our feet and a light to our path”. When we feel like we or our disciples are walking around lost in the dark, we ourselves are a reflection of the light of the Word, guiding us and them to find the way.Pushes Back Darkness
When darkness fills a room and light enters, the darkness has no choice but to flee. As we carry the light of Jesus into our missional contexts (the places where we live, learn, work, and play), the darkness of the enemy has to flee!Gives Warmth and Life
From a creation standpoint, the Sun is our source of light and life, and without it, there would be darkness and death. We, as representatives of the True Light in whom there is no darkness (1 John 1:5), are Light carriers to our mission field!
SALT AND LIGHT IN MISSIONAL DISCIPLE-MAKING
When Jesus referred to Salt and Light in the Sermon on the Mount, He was referring to YOU (and me)! He has a great vision for your life and purpose to bring preservation and illumination.
But it is extremely important to remember that we, in ourselves, are not the source of saltiness and illumination; it comes from our Savior and the One who imbues us with the qualities that qualify us to be salty and bright!
But, there is another aspect to this “naming” in the sermon, we have the capacity to lose our saltiness and brightness. And Jesus says that when we lose those qualities, we become useless. May God grant us the ability to sustain and thrive in the mission He has set before us to take these gifts into the mission fields where we live, learn, work, and play!
WE’RE NOT A SOURCE, BUT A REFLECTION
Why did God give us two lights in the sky - the Sun and the Moon?
Well, I’m not speaking as an authority on God and Creation, but I think one reason may have been to teach us what He longs for us to be as disciple-makers in our mission fields, a REFLECTION of His saltiness and brightness to a sick and dark dying world.
Our primary source of light at night is the moon. It has a tremendous impact on the Earth in relation to tides, weather, seasons, and biological rhythms. But, interestingly, the moon is not a light SOURCE at all, it is a light REFLECTOR! The source of ALL light is the Sun. And that is what it means to be a Salty and Bright reflection of the life of Christ to those in every nook and corner of our missional life!
SO LET’S BE THAT!
A reflection of preservation and illumination - SALT and LIGHT!
Thank you, Paul, for reminding us of that every time we open up your newsletter and read about the Goodness of our Savior!
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Years ago, I had a dear, respected family member tell me that he was yearning to go to Heaven—IMMEDIATELY!
Though I said nothing, I must admit that I shared no such sentiment. What I prefer is…
God’s glory for the here and now,
To be salt and light for the here and now.
To make a positive impact on others for the here and now,
To enjoy the abundant life here and now.
I’m still enchanted by the prospect of learning why God keeps me here and whom He wants me to touch.
Heaven can wait.
Thanks for reshare friend, praying for your move and the details.