In His teachings, Jesus uses two powerful metaphors to describe the role of His followers in the world: light and salt. These metaphors, found in Matthew 5:13-16, capture the essence of Christian influence and responsibility in society.

Light of the World: Jesus declares, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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.” As light, believers are called to illuminate the darkness of the world with the truth of the Gospel. This light is not just for personal benefit but is meant to be seen by others, guiding them and showing the love and Grace of God.

Salt of the Earth: Similarly, Jesus says, “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 underfoot.” Salt in ancient times was used as a preservative and a flavor enhancer. As salt, Christians are to preserve goodness in the world and bring out the ‘flavor’ of God’s kingdom in society by promoting justice, peace, and love.

Both light and salt serve others—light by illuminating and guiding, and salt by enhancing and preserving. Christians are called to serve and engage with the world in a way that reflects God’s love. —Matthew 5:13-16