Yesterday, we had an eclipse. Specifically, what is referred to by astronomers as an annular eclipse. If you’re at all like me, you might think that annular sounds like annual and perhaps has something to do with regularity, perhaps it occurs once a year. However, the term annular means ring-shaped, referring to the visible corona of the sun. Here in Hondo, we had 90% of the sun hidden at around noon, yet it was still quite bright outside. Now, in April next year, we should be about to get 100% coverage and some real darkness—at least in Kerrville!

This morning, I want to talk about a light that cannot be hidden. Turn to Matt 5:13–16.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out to be trampled under foot by men.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 5:13–16)

The world can only find hope in you.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out to be trampled under foot by men.” (Matt 5:13)

It almost seems like Jesus has put so much emphasis on the Kingdom and its citizens that He believes it is the only thing that matters, that’s not quite right. The reason He has such high standards for His disciples is that we are the attracting force God uses to contact and impact the whole world.

What does Jesus mean when He says that the salt becomes tasteless? The word for “loses its flavor” means “to become dull”. In both English and Greek, dull can mean either flavorless or foolish. If salt becomes dull, it’s useless—in fact, it’s basically just sand!

In the same way, if we lose our distinctive character, we are both foolish and useless. If the church has no impact on the world, it isn’t salty.

The Pharisees and religious leaders were more than content to just grow internally and never expand beyond their borders. By contrast, Jesus says the church should be known for its impact on the world. Salt salts the world, until the world is salty too.

Now then, what does it mean to be salty? We first think of salt as a flavor-enhancing agent. By analogy, this means that the church is to make the world a better place. As an agricultural, first-century culture, Jesus’s audience would more likely have thought first of curing meat and fish. When you cure meat, you cover it thoroughly with salt to remove the water and kill off bacteria. This keeps the meat from going bad.

My friends, the world is already going bad, and it desperately needs to be salted. As salt of the earth, we must make the world better, yes—but we do so by becoming full of—and then spreading—holiness and purity.

The hope of the world is in Christ and His Kingdom, but for many, they will only come to find Christ through His subjects.

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Phil 2:12–15).

Here, Paul alludes to this same metaphor, discussing how our exemplary behavior impacts the world. Holiness is first inward, then outward. Even simply refusing to complain makes us stand out in a good way!

This separation from the world (or holiness!) is what has the power to attract.

Jesus has just finished talking (in the Beatitudes) about the extreme differences between the behavior and priorities of the religious world and the behavior and priorities of true Kingdom citizens. If we don’t take those things seriously, we won’t be salty.

If we “taste” just like the world around us, we will suffer the same fate they do, and we will be cast out!

The world is always watching you.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket…” (Matt 5:14–15a)

Notice that Jesus does not give His disciples a choice in the matter. By virtue of His call to discipleship, we are salt, and we are light—whether we like it or not.

Although Jesus says, “if the salt becomes dull,” this is either impossible or extremely rare in real life. He uses the illustration to point out that while we cannot avoid being the salt of the earth, we can shirk our responsibility.

Then He uses a second illustration: a mountaintop city, such as Jerusalem. In the same way, as Kingdom citizens, we cannot avoid visibility. Our light is constantly shining.

We may not want to think about it, but people see us, and our actions reflect on our leader and on our countrymen. In the military, if a unit starts behaving out of accordance with standards, their leadership will be held just as responsible. As soon as we shade our light, everyone will see.

Just as the beautiful city of Jerusalem drew visitors from around the world and attracted people to the Jewish nation, our light should shine brightly in a way that attracts people to God, not a way that drives them away.

Don’t forget that “dull” means stupid. Jesus is warning us not to be stupid!

• It’s stupid for salt to be unsalty.
• It’s stupid to cover up a lamp with a mixing bowl.
• It’s stupid to obtain citizenship in the Eternal Kingdom and then try to fit into American society.
• It’s stupid to try to hold onto this world when you ought to leave it behind.

The world should see God in you.

“…but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 5:15b-16)

What light specifically should we shine? Shining forth matters; how do we do that though?

First, we should embrace the Kingdom and renounce the World, just like the Beatitudes taught us.

Second, we should embrace the works of the Kingdom, those “good works” Jesus speaks of here.

Did the Pharisees and religious leaders not perform good deeds? Of course they did! But as Jesus addresses later in the Sermon on the Mount, they did good deeds for their own praise. Forgetting about God, they wanted the eyes of men to be on them.

Note here the subtle change in expression. He first says, “You are the light,” but then, “let your light shine” or “make your light shine.” Is the disciple to be considered light himself, or the possessor of light, as one who holds up a candle? I think perhaps Jesus still intends that we are the light and therefore, we must not stifle our own discipleship, our lives of service themselves. He does not mean for us to hold up our own good deeds as a candle, for to do so contradicts His instruction everywhere! Rather, as it is the property of light to shine, our light will shine forth unless we quench the flame ourselves.

So then, what light should we shine? This light must radiate from us, but we cannot contrive or synthesize it. The light which we emit should only ever be “the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9). The purpose of discipleship is to draw us nearer to Christ in character and lifestyle, so that we may become just as He is.

Now, don’t forget that Jesus just finished blessing the disciples for the persecution they will certainly face; He isn’t saying that everyone will automatically accept you and seek out the Kingdom, too—but He is saying that some inevitably will!

“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10:31–33).

Sometimes living to God’s glory means making sacrifices with our lifestyle and giving up privileges we may have. In fact, this is often what being a Kingdom citizen means. Jesus promises ease, as we saw this morning, but it is the ease of simplicity—the simplicity of trusting God—not an ease of laziness.

When people interacted with Jesus, they wondered at Him and they praised God. By contrast, no one glorified God when they saw the Pharisees. How do people react when they see you?

Being a Kingdom citizen means becoming a polarizing figure. People always watch Christians to see how we behave: whether we mess up or give in. Some who see us live godly lives will persecute us and tear us down, and some will praise God and seek to join in the joy of the Kingdom, too. I pray you all will be encouraged this week to make an impact with your interactions and always hide behind the Cross of Christ, that He may receive all the glory He is due.