Text: Matt. 5:13-20
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
January 27, 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Jews at the Concentration camp at Auschwitz.
There is a story about a rabbi, Hugo Grynn, who was sent to Auschwitz as a little boy. In the midst of the concentration camp, in the midst of the death and horror all around them, many Jews held onto whatever shreds of their religious observances they could, without drawing the ire of the guards. One cold winter's evening, Hugo's father gathered the family in the barracks. It was the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Feast of Lights.
The young child watched in horror as his father took the family's last pad of butter and made a makeshift candle, using a string from his ragged clothes. He then took a match and lit the candle.
"Father, no!" Hugo cried. "That butter is our last bit of food! How will we survive?"
"We can live for many days without food," his father said. "We cannot live a single minute without faith and hope. This is the fire of hope. Never let it go out. Not here! Not anywhere!"
Pulpit Resource, Logos Productions, Inc, 2005
In the gospel reading for today Jesus, in talking to his disciples, speaks about salt and light as it pertains to those who follow Him. He points out, if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
There are a number of uses for salt:
Salt accents the flavor of meat,
brings out the individuality of vegetables,
puts "oomph" into bland starches,
deepens the flavor of delicate desserts,
and develops the flavor of melons and certain other fruits.
No other seasoning has yet been found that can satisfactorily take the place of salt.
But, there are many other uses for salt around the home, as well.
Salt is an excellent cleaning agent, on its own or in combination with other substances.
A solution of salt and turpentine restores the whiteness to yellowed enamel bathtubs and lavatories.
A paste of salt and vinegar cleans tarnished brass or copper.
Strong brine poured down the kitchen sink prevents grease from collecting and eliminates odors.
Salt helps destroy moths and drives away ants.
A dash of salt in laundry starch keeps the iron from sticking and gives linen and fine cottons a glossy, like-new finish.
http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/salt-uses-and-tips.asp
Jesus also speaks of the light that His disciples have in them by the power of the Holy Spirit calling them to not hide it but to:
16 … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
When salt loses its saltiness or a lamp is hidden the usefulness of either is no longer of value. In the same way the disciples who no longer shine forth the light of Christ in their lives reflect no more the Love of Christ that has been given them, but only the brokenness that this corrupted world brings.
Ill.
A guitar without strings is of little value but string it up and the potential for wonderful music is there.
Years ago I use to attend the Chet Atkins Appreciation Societies convention in Nashville. While there the first few years Chet would come in and socialize and take pictures with those who were attending. He would sit and play guitar by himself and with others.
One story I heard once while playing and inspecting a new guitar a man listening to him said, “Man, that guitar sounds great!” to which Chet stopped playing and responded, “How’s it sound now?”
The beautiful sound of the guitar is impossible to hear, hidden in silence until the musician moves the strings to bring forth the gift of music to the ears.
Our voices singing today, proclaim the blessings of God. With voices and mouths closed … no one could hear our praise.
So too a disciple of Jesus’ that no longer shines the light of the gospel and the pardon and forgiveness won for them at the cross in all they say and do.
The merits of Jesus’ work remain hidden and the word of God closed to the ears of those who need to hear.
When we fail to shine the light of Christ we bury Christ again in the tomb … covering the light of Christ’s resurrection victory with the dirt of the grave.
Jesus says:
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
And then He continues:
18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
So until heaven and earth pass away … until the end … you and I and all people are held to the requirements of the Law.
If we stand in our own righteousness, we reject the gift of God and hide the light of Christ that has been given to you and me.
19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
The scribes and Pharisees did all they could to keep the Law and they still fell short. But you have been given light; the light of Christ and His perfect keeping of the law. God’s Law is fulfilled and kept perfectly for you and you receive it as a gift!
Nothing to do … just believe and rejoice because God’s Holy Spirit is greater than the world, the flesh and the Devil who tries to draw you away from Christ. Jesus has given you the light of His righteousness and because of this gift of mercy and grace you can be salt and light to a world that is dying.
Shine a lamp into a dark room and there is no longer any darkness … it flees in the presence of light and so too the light of Christ which has overcome the darkness of sin that was laid upon Christ at the cross and buried in the tomb with Him no longer to sees the light of day.
Christ has risen and left your sin buried. His righteousness covers you so that you too can shine His light to those in need.
When a lamp in placed in front of a mirror the light is doubled. So too your light that shines in the world gets magnified in the lives of others and becomes a beacon which overcomes the darkness which flees having no place to hide.
In Christ you are the light of the world!
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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