The Parables of Salt and Light
this post is the first of several about the parables of Jesus. We begin with The Parables of Salt and Light. As we have seen with The Beatitudes there are many spiritual practices and disciplines to aid our spiritual journey on The Way. Jesus also taught using stories. He wasn’t interested in sharing religious facts. Rather he challenged his listeners and us to think in new ways. I hope this view of the parables will help you on your journey to The Kingdom.
In other places (Complete Conversion)I have explained there are four conversions related to the four functions of personality type theory. These are likewise related to the command to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength. These conversions are to Jesus, the Church, the Holy Spirit, and Ministry. In this Bible study we will look at the conversion of the mind to Jesus. Jesus was constantly attempting to get people to think outside the box. He did it by telling stories. These stories, the parables, tell us the nature of God’s Kingdom and how we ought to behave towards one another. In other Following the Way
Salt of the Earth
Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. NIV
At first glance the image of salt presented here seems to make no sense. In our day there’s nothing to be taken away from salt that could make it less salty. In the time and place Jesus lived this was not the case. Most, if not all, the salt the average person had contained impurities. This was the result of how the salt was collected without any of the modern processes for a purer product. Salt was kept in clay jars. Over time, as the salt was used, many of the impurities would sink to the bottom of the jar. As the jars were emptied eventually the bit left in the bottom was useless and emptied into the street before more fresh salt was added.
The lesson is clear. As we strive to follow Jesus it is important to carefully monitor our lives and throw out what is impure. Furthermore, this is a process that occurs over time. When we are young and/or new to the faith, new to following Jesus, there may be some glaring things that need to be discarded. For example, many will first look at obvious bad habits: drinking to excess, foul language, lying etc. but as we mature, we may discover there are more and subtler sins like pride, selfishness or lack of humility that need to be thrown out.
Another lesson falls in a more positive direction. We need to answer the question: how is it that we salt the world, our area of influence, and the people in our lives? A quick Google search reveals there are 60 or more ways salt can be used. These are the most obvious: flavor enhancer, preserver, healing agent, cleanser, deodorizer, and pest repellant.
One of my seminary professors explained that parables, unlike analogies, work on the premise of “How much more?” Thus, if these things are true of salt, how much more might they be true for people and especially for followers of Jesus?
Franny Crosby, one of my parishioners in Tucson was such a salty person. She was a retired successful businesswoman who had owned a dry-cleaning business. She put her skills and personality to good use for the Kingdom. We decided to become a distribution center for the non-prophet food ministry of Food Share. For $25 and 2 hours of community service a family could receive a large box of food each month. Franny became our administrator, volunteer recruiter and all-around leader. In time her saltiness brought her to be known as The Food Lady of Tucson. She not only managed for us but also helped organize other sites throughout Tucson.
Questions for reflection
- How do I add flavor to my interactions with others?
- What does my presence contribute to my family, work environment, etc.?
- How can I bring healing to the wounds of people and institutions?
- Who do I know that adds a sweet fragrance to my social, institutional, and work environments?
- What does it mean to say someone is “the salt of the earth” and who do I know that embodies that description?
The Light of the world
In Tucson there were many directions I could look and see all the way to the horizon. Perhaps you have been on an ocean cruise and then able to see the horizon in all directions. In such a situation, on the darkest of nights if there is the smallest of lights on the far horizon it can be seen. Likewise, even the faint LED light on the clock by my bed shines bright enough for me to walk about without stumbling into the furniture.
Moreover, when a light is lifted higher it brings clarity to a larger area. For example, you notice if you’ve ever been camping in a tent, in the darkness of night, if you turn on the flashlight next to your pillow it illuminates very little. However, if you hang it from the peak of the tent all within is illuminated. Even a candle can be seen three miles away. It is a frequent scenario of old war movies that an enemy has been detected by the light of his glowing cigarette.
Over the years I have participated in many candle-lit services. These give us another insight. The process of lighting everyone’s candle usually begins with the ignition of just one. Then the flame is passed from one to another and another. Usually, the ushers or acolytes will light the candle at the end of each pew. Then the people in the pews will share the flame across the pew until the whole sanctuary glows with the illumination of everyone’s candle.
I have known several people of whom it might be said “she lights up a room.” Their very presence “brightens” the mood. There is “something about them” that lightens the atmosphere and cheers the assembly. My late wife Lily was one of these lights. She loved to do small acts of kindness. She would offer a compliment here or a kind word there. Despite her chronic illness, she projected an attitude of grace and joy. As flower, the clown she brightened the lives of many.
Questions for a Reflection.
- Who are the bright lights in your life?
- When were you “in the dark” and someone helped you “see the light”?
- Think of a church or other institution that is a “beacon of light” in a dark community?
- In what ways might you let your light shine more brightly?