“Become the best version of yourself” is a well-known motivational motto. Various books and articles offer advice on how to become the best version of yourself. Suggestions include: “Make a list of the 3 most important things to achieve each day.” “Stop trying to please people, please yourself.” “Learn one new thing a day.” “Exercise each morning.” “Practice gratitude.” “Stop procrastinating.” These suggestions aren’t bad, but this way of living can become very exhausting! Always something to do to improve yourself. It is a law-based way of life, full of must dos, ought tos, and should tries.
In contrast to this, as Jesus continues his teaching on the side of the mount, he gives his disciples a gospel-based way of life. He says, “You are salt. You are light” (Matthew 5:13–16). There are two important things to note:
- When Jesus says, “You are,” he uses a plural you. Jesus is addressing his disciples as a whole group. He is addressing the community comprised as individuals, not merely individuals. We might say, “Youse are salt. Youse are light.” The way of life for followers of Jesus is not an individual effort, it’s not about improving yourself, but it’s a team effort. You, as a team, as church, are salt. You, as a collective community, are light.
- Jesus says, “You are.” Not “you must become.” Not “you ought to be.” Not even “you will be.” But “you are.” Now, already. Let this gospel way of life sink in. You already are who God has created you. You already are children of the king.
I find this teaching so liberating and different from anything in the world! The church is the only place you will hear this good news. Jesus frees you from striving to improve yourself. He doesn’t teach, “Do this, do that, do such and such.” Jesus teaches, “You are because what I have done for you.” Jesus lived and died for the world. Jesus willingly died on the cross for your sake. He gave himself for the world. ‘God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all.’ (Romans 8:32). Because of what he has done, you and I are freed to turn our focus away from ourselves and to focus on others. You are salt. You are light.
The light metaphor is familiar and apparent. But what is it about salt? Why does Jesus use salt as his word picture?
- Salt preserves. Meat or fish is cured to prevent bacterial growth.
- Salt purifies. Saline solution is used in hospitals to clean wounds.
- Salt heals. Prevent infections, help with a sore throat, mouth ulcers.
- Salt stirs up thirst. “These pretzels are making me thirsty.”
- Salt enhances existing flavour and seasons food.
Salt exists to be used, light exists for darkness. Likewise, disciples exist to be used by God for the sake of the world.
Imagine the following product: “Saltless salt.” It looks like salt, but it has no flavour. It doesn’t preserve meat. It doesn’t make you thirsty. It just sits on your table, doing nothing. Useless! You would have a hard time selling such a useless product. It’s not good for anythign except being thrown out. Likewise, disciples exist for the sake of the world. Like salt, disciples preserve, purify, heal, stir up thirst, add flavour to the world.
If we are salt, what does this say about the world?
- The world is a putrid, rotting decaying mess.
- The world is impure and unclean.
- The world is in need of healing.
- The world is thirsty, dying for a drink of living water which disciples enjoy and share (John 4).
- The world without disciples is flavourless and bland.
Jesus is salt and light, he gave himself for the world, and now he calls his disciples — you — to do and be the same. You (plural) are salt and light. You exist for the sake of the world.
So how are you to be salt and light?
- Smile
- Perform a RAK (random act of kindness).
- Forgive
- Unconditionally accept someone.
- Overlook injury.
- Be a peacemaker.
- Show mercy and compassion.
- Publically confess your Christian faith.
Anything that preserves, purifies, heals, stirs up thirst, or adds flavour the world!
Hang on, doesn’t this list sound like the list we started with? This list above sounds like a bunch of laws or commands. “Do this, do that, do such and such.” What’s the difference? The difference is subtle but important.
- The second list is not focused on self (e.g. “Become your best self”), but focused on the world and others.
- The second list is not focused on changing who you are, but being who you are.
Disciples — who are salt and light — are called to give themselves for the world, just as Jesus gave himself. But going out into the world to be who you are doesn’t mean that you’ll stay the same and won’t change. We may not need to strive to change ourselves, but by going out into the world, God will change you. God will grow you into who you are. You are a child of a king, but God wants you to learn and act as a child of the king.
Let me tell a story to explain: “The tale of the two princes.”
There was once a king. He had an adult son who had died but he couldn’t have any more children of his own. So he decided to adopt two boys from the local orphanage. Upon adoption each boy became a prince, a child of the king. The king appointed a tutor to teach the boys who they were and how to live as a prince.
The first boy never left the castle. He preferred to count the king’s treasure stored deep in the dungeon. He rarely saw the light of day and grew pale and sickly. He was hunched over, with a permanent scowl on his face. The tutor would often throw his hands up in frustration, “You are a child of the king. Go out into the kingdom and live as a prince! It’s useless just sitting here counting the money!” But the prince was stubborn and wouldn’t listen. He soon became too weak even to sit gazing at the treasure, and became bed ridden. He died young and unhappy.
The second boy grew up to be a fine young prince. He would regularly visit far flung parts of the kingdom to listen to their needs and offer the king’s help. He often took the king’s carriage filled with sacks of potatoes and grain to give to the poor and needy along the road. His work was hard, but he was happy and satisfying. He lived a long fulfilling life, eventually inheriting the kingdom as his own.
Which boy was a child of the king? Well, both were. But which boy lived as a child of the king? Only the second. By living as who he was, this second prince enjoyed the many benefits of giving himself to the world.
Likewise, you are salt and light. Salt exists to be used, and light exists for darkness. Preserve, purify, heal, stir up thirst, add flavour, shine your light in dark places. Go and be salt and light. Go and live as children of the king. Amen.
