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)”
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)”
When you’re as sensational as salt, it would be senseless to lose your flavour.
Open Matthew 5:13.
Decaffeinated coffee. Gluten free. Dairy free. Sugarless sweets. Food without calories or kilojoules. How about salt-free salt? Would that sell?
Salt is totally unpalatable. If you found yourself with a mouthful of salt, what would you do? You can’t swallow it by the spoonful. It’s too … well … salty. Continue reading “Salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)”
Seeking the kingdom 