These verses have often been quoted in order to teach Christians about being good testimonies to others. After reading the entire Sermon of the Mount, I see all of Jesus’ teachings as a coherent whole, which illustrates how to be ‘salt and light’.

1. The quality of salt

As a flavouring agent, a little pinch of salt goes a long way in making a dish delicious. Saltiness is a quality of salt that is inherent and internal, and it is everything that defines salt itself. How does that apply to us when Jesus says “you are the salt of the earth”? This is a matter of character.

Just as salt provides flavour in food, or nutrients for soil, we are to provide positive influence in our immediate environment, be it in our school, workplace, or home. The presence of salt is usually invisible, for instance in food; likewise, our character is something that may not show outwardly, but is able to provide a silent influence on the people around us.

In the rest of chapter 5, from verses 21 to 48, Jesus talks about the attitudes that we ought to have – not harbouring anger, lust, not speaking flippantly, not being vengeful, and etc. He talks about negative characteristics that is noticeable when present, but inconspicuous when absent. Therefore, the positive influence that we exert this way is subtle, but it can change the spiritual climate.

Jesus gives a serious warning about salt losing its saltiness ought to be thrown out and trampled by men. As Christians, if we are not upright in character, then what good are we in the world? Already, there are many self-professed Christians who hardly look the sort, and more importantly, do not behave as such. Worse still, it only gives excuses for non-believers not to get to know the faith better. How many times have we heard, “You mean that guy is a Christian? If a Christian is like that, then I’d rather not be one”? Our lives as testimonies are immensely powerful, and we can either draw people to God, or turn people away from Him.

2. The quality of light

Light also exerts great change in the environment. It dispels darkness, and illuminates. Interestingly enough, verse 16 says that we should let our light shine that people can see our good deeds and praise God. Therefore, being light of the world is not about doing good deeds. The light that we are to be illuminates our good deeds for all to see. Again, I believe it is a matter of character as well.

Jesus gives another warning, which I think is linked about being the light of the world. In Matthew 6:1-18, He discusses giving to the needy, praying and fasting, but in these 3 topics, there is one word that repeats – “hypocrites”.

Although we are to be light, exemplary in a dark world, the danger is in becoming hypocrites. This is a real warning, and anyone is vulnerable to keeping up appearances, for whatever personal reasons. Sometimes, in our desire to be good testimonies, we do certain things for the sake of appearances. As those verses warn, we shouldn’t do our good deeds, and announce them brazenly such that people come to know about it; when we pray, we shouldn’t just deliberately do it in the open, where it is clearly visible to many; when we fast, we shouldn’t make a show of it as well. Essentially, I think the underlying message is to be exemplary by having our characters moulded to be so, rather than contrive appearances in order to seem that way. When people can see our Godly character and know it in their hearts to be real, then when they see our good deeds, they will acknowledge the deeds to be an outflow of God’s goodness. Does our light point to God and glorifies Him or to glorify ourselves?

Again, it is interesting to see the flow of Jesus’ teachings, especially from verses 19 to 24. In verses 19 – 21, Jesus warns that our heart is where our treasure is, and therefore asks us not to store treasures on earth, but rather, in heaven. In verses 22 – 23, it talks about the eyes being the lamp of the body, and when the eyes are good, we are full of light. Then in verse 24, Jesus leaps back into discussion about money, saying that no one can serve both God and money. The rest of the chapter, verses 25 to 34, tells us not to worry, and that ‘worry’ mentioned in those verses revolves around material concerns – clothes, food and drink, and etc. The ‘eyes’ mentioned perhaps speak of spiritual eyes, but the mention of ‘lamp’ in the midst of these verses about treasures seem to be out-of-place. However, I think that it may be the other aspect of being light of the world.

The former warns us that we are to be light of the world, but not in a hypocritical manner; I suspect this section speaks of the bowl that can hide the light – finances or simply, earthly possessions. We can aspire to be good testimonies and all, but people at a glance can see where we spend time building our treasures, and what our wallet is devoted to. We can be the best person we can be, but when people wonder where our priorities and loyalties lie, then how would they link the good things we do to the God that we serve? Again, how can we be light of the world when our deeds reflect our building of our own kingdom, or that we are slaving for money?

3. Reflection and Obedience

Chapter 7 continues into the seeming conclusion to all the previous teachings. Verses 1-6 teaches us not to judge others, but the main point of those verses, in context, is in fact in first taking the plank from our own eyes – self examination and reflection. Jesus’ command rests neatly in a one-line summary in verse 12 – do unto others what you would have them do to you. Perhaps this is the most simple and powerful way to be that positive influence (salt), and a beacon of light that guides and testifies (light).

Verses 13 and 14 warns that the life of a disciple is challenging, and that it is easy to take the broad road of destruction, but Jesus also promises fruitfulness (verses 15 to 23) and resilience to storms and hardship (verses 24 to 27), and the essence of both parables lies in obedience – obedience in doing the Will of the Father (verse 21), and in putting the teachings into practice (verse 24). Obedience in these two areas will mould our characters such that we will be the salt that gives a positive touch to the lives around us, and the light that illuminates the way for the people around us, guiding them to God.

Further Reflections