The Disciple: salt and light.

We looked the last couple weeks at "Brokenness of a Disciple depicted in the Beatitudes." We'll continue the challenging study today with "The Disciple: salt and light."

The disciple of Christ: broken of self will, self-sufficiency and self centeredness. Emptied of self to be filled with Christ. Digging deeply into God’s resources to live Christ’s abundant life. The ultimate well being, better than riches, power and fame. This person is of great value to themselves, to God and to people with whom they come in contact because they are experiencing the power of God described in Ephesians 3:20… Glory be to God who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we could ever ask or dream of, infinitely beyond our highest hopes, plans and desires.

The responsibility and challenge to this disciple of Christ is depicted in Matthew 5:13-16.
Matt.5: 13 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 by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Salt of the earth and light of the world. Let’s examine these two metaphors Christ used in challenging His disciples.

There are thirty-five references (verses) to salt in the King James Version of the Bible, the most familiar probably being the story of Lot's wife, who was turned into a pillar of salt when she disobeyed the angels and looked back at the wicked city of Sodom (Genesis 19:26).

Jesus referred to his followers as the "salt of the earth."

The apostle Paul also encouraged Christians to "let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt" (Colossians 4:6) so that when others inquire about their beliefs, the Christian's answer generates a 'thirst' to know more about Christ.

Each of these salt examples would merit study; however, we’re looking at Christ’s command to be salt and light. What is the value of salt? Why would Jesus say, “Be salt.”

We'll look at the ttributes of salt in tomorrow's post.