Category: Light

Who is the light of the world? (Matthew 5:14-16)

The character of a king is revealed in the people he governs.

Open Matthew 5:14-16.

Ask your church friends, “Who is the light of the world?” They all know it’s Jesus. That’s only part of the story. Jesus also said, “You are the light of the world” (5:14). Really? How does that work? Continue reading “Who is the light of the world? (Matthew 5:14-16)”

Are Christians the moral police? (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus didn’t call us to be the moral police for existing society. He said we were the visible expression of an alternative kingdom.

Open Matthew 5:13-16.

When Jesus labelled his followers as salt and light, did he mean that we are to preserve our society from decay (as salt) and shine light on evils around us so they can’t continue? Many people read these verses like this, but is it what Jesus meant? Continue reading “Are Christians the moral police? (Matthew 5:13-16)”

Distinctively God’s kingdom: salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)

Open Matthew 5:13-16.

The main point of Jesus’ metaphor about salt and light is the humour — the absurdness of trying to hide it. Can you picture a pile of salt trying to hide its saltiness, to pretend it’s not salty? Can you picture a lamp trying to hide under a bucket? It’s hilarious! And tragic.

Why would someone want to lose their saltiness? Who wants to try to hide a city that’s prominently perched on a hill? And why would anyone try to cover a lamp with a bucket? If you haven’t asked these questions, you’re missing what Jesus was saying to his Galilean audience. Continue reading “Distinctively God’s kingdom: salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)”