Context
Sometimes the teachings of Jesus are so shocking
that we tend to ignore them, redefine them, or put them in some special
classification to justify the fact that we do not live them out. The teachings
of the Sermon on the Mount fall in that category. Several of the words Jesus
spoke act like ice cold water on a hot day to our souls.
Beside the Sea of Galilee there is a natural
amphitheater in the side of a hill that some believe is the location of this
greatest of all sermons, the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus went up on a mountain,
sat down and began to teach his disciples. It appears at the end of the sermon
that the crowds had followed and gathered around.
The sermon begins with the Beatitudes, which
describe the way Jesus has called us to live our lives. Then, in tomorrow’s
readings, from verse 17 to the end of chapter 5, we will read of Jesus’
interactions with the Law. In chapter 6 we will see what Jesus says about true
religion, then in the second half of chapter 6 through all of chapter 7 we will
see principles for kingdom living.
The problem is not that these teachings are hard to
understand, it is that they are hard for us to accept. But Jesus said what he
meant and meant what he said. It is up to us to receive it and adjust our lives
to the commands of God.
I must resist the temptation to write a book about
the Beatitudes. Many have done so and for further reading and study I heartily
recommend D. Martyn Lloyd Jones’ book, “The Sermon on the Mount.” But I would
say several things quickly.
- These are characteristics that are not normal for us as humans. They are contrary to our sin nature and impossible for us in our natural condition.
- These are characteristics of Christ, who is the model and example of each.
- Therefore, this is not a moralistic, “try to do better” teach, but a statement of the goal of life for those who have been redeemed. To try to obey the Beatitudes without salvation in Christ is impossible.
- Beatitude means blessing. These are a blessing that comes from Christ and those who obey and pursue these character qualities receive further blessings from Christ.
- They are progressive as well. The poor in spirit realize their sin and mourn over it. In their meekness they yield to Christ and hunger and thirst for him and his righteousness. The poor in spirit are merciful to others. Those who mourn over sin become pure in heart. Those who are meek and humble become peacemakers. And those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are willing even to suffer for righteousness sake.
Salt and light describe the nature of the church in
this world. Salt hinders the decay caused by sin and death. Light chases the
darkness and points the way to God. This is who we are and what we are to do.
Devotional - Salty Salt
What is salt and what is light? I have heard many
discussions about what these words mean, especially what Jesus meant when he
called us salt and when he warned of those who lose their saltiness. Salt is
one of the most useful products in the world. Most scholars point to its use in
curing meats and preventing decay. We are in this world of sin and our function
is to prevent the decay of sin.
But there is one thing we must remember about both
salt and light. Neither is useful unless it is applied to something else. The
light accomplishes nothing unless it shines on something. The salt does nothing
unless it is shaken onto something. Salt in the shaker has nothing except
potential. It’s saltiness is wasted. Salt and light must be applied to
something else to become useful.
That is the way we are as Christians, as the church.
We are not meant to be inwardly focused. Too often we are like a closed circle,
cloistered together, a small group of happy saints who love each other but are
not interested in the world. When that is true, the salt has lost its
saltiness. The salt in the shaker can be as salty as it wants but as long as it
is in the shaker it will have no effect. It has to get out of the shaker to be
useless. The light can be bright, but unless it is turned on and pointed at the
darkness, it is of little value.
Fundamentally, salt and light must be applied to
something else to be of value. We are salt and light. Am I loved intrinsically?
Of course. God loves me as I am. But he saved me to use me. He did not save me
to put me on a shelf or hide me under a basket. He saved me to shake me and
shine through me. He redeemed the church to shake us and shine through us.
We need to throw off the baskets that hide the light
and allow Jesus to take us off the shelf and shake us into this world that our
lives may be of great value to him.
Father, may my life be useful to you. May the light of Jesus Christ shine through me to this world and may the power of Jesus Christ salt this world and shake it’s foundation through me.
Think
and Pray
List some of the uses of salt – as many as you can
think of.
List the properties and uses of light.
Consider the spiritual applications of each.
Finally, examine your life and ask yourself if you
are living each day as salt and light in this world.
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