Matthew 5:13-16
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Today’s passage is the second part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Before you begin, recall the “beatitudes” or desirable qualities identified by Jesus: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness or humility, hunger and thirst for justice, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and persecution.
Then read Matthew 5:13-16 with these in mind.
A person who is becoming more like Jesus through a consistent, loving relationship will begin to reflect of the qualities of Jesus. And when spread through the world by Jesus’ followers, those qualities bring health and healing to the world.
When Jesus uses the word “salt,” he’s referring both to the mineral that brings out the flavor in food and the kind of salt that keeps food from spoiling. Jesus says that when salt becomes insipid or tasteless, it isn’t able to serve its intended purpose. Instead of seasoning and preserving the world, it is rejected, trampled underfoot and spurned by people.
Stop to consider your own journey through the world as a follower of Jesus. How is Jesus working through you to display his goodness and attract others to himself? How do your words and actions promote health and wholeness in the people around you? Spend a few moments talking about this with Jesus.
Read Matthew 5:13-16 again picturing the metaphors Jesus uses to describe the “light of the world.”
Followers of Jesus reflect Jesus’ light to a dark world, but according to Jesus there is a very specific way that his light shines through us.
It is through our good deeds that people’s minds and hearts are illuminated so they can see and worship God. Words are important, and we should always be ready to share the reason for our hope when someone asks (1 Peter 3:15), but how will people see our hope if not through our actions? It is in large and small acts of kindness and goodness, prompted by our love for Jesus, that the glory of God shines. The Good News of God’s Kingdom is first demonstrated through our actions and then proclaimed with words.
How might your days be different if you woke up each morning and asked Jesus to continually open your eyes all day to see the opportunities he’ll give you to demonstrate his Good News through your loving actions?
For the last few minutes of this meditation, talk and listen to Jesus about your call to be salt and light in the world.
What do you believe Jesus would have you do or do differently to live out this calling?
What will you do today in response?
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