Matthew 5:13-16, Salt and Light

In my recent studies in Mark’s Gospel, and specifically in Mk. 9:49-50, we came across the issue of being the “salt of the earth.”  We noted that this is terminology that comes from the offering of sacrifices in OT times (Lev. 2:13 giving good background) and the NT truth that we are to be living sacrifices offered up to God for righteousness (Rom. 6:13; 12:1).  In the process of that study I came across this, from Charles Spurgeon, and thought it worth sharing.  So I will take it easy in today’s post and we will let the Prince of Preachers speak.

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It is taken for granted that all true Israelites would bring many oblations and offerings of different kinds to God. And so they did who were truly devout and really grateful. I am sure that, if the Lord has set our hearts on fire with his own love, we also shall be frequently saying “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” It will be the habit of the Christian, as it was the habit of the devout Israelite, to be continually bringing oblations to his God.

How is this to be done? There is the point. We have need each of us to say with Paul, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” and we may add another question, “How wilt thou have me do it?” for will-worship is not acceptable with God. If we bring to God what he does not ask, it will not be received. We must only present to him that which he requires of us; and we must present it to him in his own way, for he is a jealous God.

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Now, if I may, let me add, from the context of Mark 9.  There is a definite “fulcrum” in Mark 8:34-38.  Jesus has been making His disciples to be fishers of men.  He has sent them out, two by two, and they have come back excited about how they were able to do what Jesus did.  But at the end of Mark 8 Jesus announces that they will be headed to Jerusalem and He will suffer, die and be raised the third day.  He then tells the Twelve, and also the regular crowd of people, that if they wish to follow Him they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him.  The specifics of this self-denial and cross-bearing come in 8:34-38.  We must lose our lives for His sake and the sake of the gospel.  We must no longer think about gaining the world or seeking satisfaction of the soul in any other way but through submission to Christ.  Everything that follows, in Mk. 9-16, must be seen in the light of these words.  Thus, in 9:49-50, it makes perfect sense that Jesus would use the figure of the sacrifice to describe how we are to live our lives in this world.  We will, as we submit ourselves to Christ, do what Christ did on His own altar/cross.  As we are seasoned with the fire, the salt will make us a blessing to this world.  You are the salt of the earth!