1/15/23 - Be An Example - Matthew 5:13-16 - Pastor Jason Fritz

In John 10:10, Jesus said that he came to give people abundant life. I think people desire this now more than ever. There are many modern voices giving advice and yet so many are stuck and confused. Certainly Jesus is worth hearing. After all, he is themost influential man who has ever lived. Let me forewarn you by saying that Jesus is the master at disrupting people’s lives in the best possible way

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus paints a picture of what it looks like to be different in a world that is full of the same

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:13-16

Let me give you a bit of context…in the first 12 verses of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus explains two very different value systems. There exists an earthly kingdom and a heavenly kingdom. They are not the same. For example, the kingdom of heaven values gentleness over authoritarian power. It values humility over pride. God’s way values peacemaking over aggression and purity over self-indulgence. When one practices things like purity, humility, gentleness and peacemaking, there is real positive influence in this world. Additionally, you become an example for others to follow.

Next, Jesus gives a word picture and a helpful analogy. He uses two metaphors to describe the influence Christians have in this world: salt and light. And here’s what Jesus is going to say...Salt and light are not meant to be contained, they are used as agents for good. Jesus was the master at using metaphors to capture attention. Every household had both salt and light, so this was easy for people to envision. Themeaning here is deeper than what you might think because of the implications both salt and light had in the time of Jesus. Salt was used primarily as a preservative. In our time we use it mainly to enhance flavor, but back in the day there was no refrigeration as we know it today. Meat was kept from spoiling by rubbing salt on it. Salt delays the decay. 

This is the implication to the world...

The world is decaying because of sin and darkness. There’s a beautiful line in theChristmas classic, Oh Holy Night. It goes like this…”long lay the world in sin and error pining...” The word pining means to waste away. Since the fall, the world has been wasting away under the weight of human sin and error. “...til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” When Jesus arrived, the human soul knew its value because Jesus was willing to die for the sins and errors of all people. Not all would accept Jesus and instead they would stay in their sinful state. The pining continues. Theworld seems to get darker by the minute. What’s good is evil and what’s evil is good. But doesn’t the light shine brightest where it’s darkest? The world is decaying. Jesus sent us into the world to delay the decay by proclaiming the gospel!