“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16
Meditate. Salt. Light.
Salty people are usually characters. Think of someone you know that is a character…a bit salty. Their personality is usually boisterous and they are likely in your face about something. They make themselves heard. Salt gives flavor to food…and if it looses its flavor, then it is tossed out. When people become boring—sort i of “non-salty” they may be dropped off your “invite” list. Remember God loves them, too.
This passage goes on to say that’ll a light shining in the darkness is one that gives hope to those in its presence. Jesus said that to those gathered around Him when He was teaching in what we call the Sermon on the Mount. He told them that they were the light of the world. Have you ever been so engulfed in pain that your surroundings seemed grim and dark? Jesus also taught that He is the light of the world, as recorded in John.
Follow me. Once agin Jesus was calling the people. “Follow me.” He says the same thing to us today. We don’t need to hide the fact that we have the light of Jesus shining in us. We certainly aren’t going to hide that light by putting a basket over our head. Give Jesus your pain and your shame. Instead, let your love and obedience to Jesus show. Hopefully others will see that it is Jesus’ love that gives you hope and allows you to care for others. The kind and good things you do will bring glory to God. That is Jesus’ expectation. Praise to the Heavenly Father.Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, shine through me and give us all hope people need salt and light in their lives. By serving others, my hope is to give You glory.
Verse of Salvation ~ The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1 (NLT)
© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Portions reused from April 20, 2022, Banquet With The King, blog.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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