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Matthew 5:13-20

¹³ “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.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ 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.

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Grace, mercy, peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Identity is a word that seems to be getting thrown around a lot today – and not in a good way. Discussions about identity cause all sorts of questions about who and what we are. And be careful, especially on social media, that you don’t label someone. You don’t want to be perceived as being judgmental!

But everyone is someone (obvious statement for the day), so everyone has an identity. But what is it that gives you your identity? While the world argues about if your identity comes either from biological facts or from how you perceive yourself, let’s listen to what Jesus says about your identity.

Jesus, the eternal Son of God in the flesh, has something to say about your identity. Jesus, the Word incarnate, has something to declare to you. “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.” Notice, Jesus does not say, “You will be salt and light.” He does not say, “You should be salt and light.” He simply says, “You are. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.”

God doesn’t ask nicely if you want to be salt and light. He doesn’t invite you to accept the fact that you are salt and light. He simply declares it. God is powerful enough, His Word has the potency to make whatever He says to be so. When God said, “Let there be light,” there was. So when Jesus says, “You are salt. You are light,” you simply are. You are what Jesus says you are.

But let’s imagine, let’s suppose, that you don’t believe what Jesus says here. Maybe, you don’t feel particularly salty or overly light. What happens then? What happens when you don’t believe God when He says, “You are the salt of the earth”?

Well, Jesus answers that. When salt loses its saltiness, it isn’t good for anything anymore. So, that non-salty salt is thrown out and trampled down under people’s feet.

And what happens when you don’t believe God when He says, “You are the light of the world”? Jesus has an answer for that too. First, things become absurd. It is like trying to hide a huge city set way up high on a hill. Then, it becomes dangerous. It is like putting a dry basket over a flame. What happens when you put a basket, when you put fuel, over a burning lamp? Fire breaks out and burns everything up.

Too often, we don’t believe God when He declares things about us. And that unbelief ignites all sorts of evil around us. The Bible is full of tragic stories about when people do not believe what God says about them.

The first one is the most tragic. God said Adam and Eve were good – very good. But they turn around and instead of believing what God said, they believe Satan’s lie that they should be something more than what God said they were. And from that moment on, all sin, all wickedness, and all evil springs simply because we do not believe what God has said, what God has declared about us.

Our sinful flesh, the world, and the devil tell us, “Don’t be too salty; you’ll raise our cholesterol and give us a heart attack. Dim that light a bit; it’s just too bright.” And, all too often, we listen and oblige. That’s why Jesus comes once again to declare you to be His salt and light in this world.

So, stop disbelieving. Stop doubting what Jesus says about you. Repent of your sin. Repent of your unbelief.

Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt isn’t salt for itself. Salt is salt to make things salty. So, you salt of the earth, salt the earth.

How? By being what Jesus has declared you to be. Be forgiven. Be righteous. Be the dash of flavor that makes life in this fallen, sinful, bland world a little more tasteful.

Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” So, shine. Shine out. Jesus, who is the light of the world, commands your light to shine. Jesus flips the switch so your good works will shine in the darkness. And others will see your good works and give glory to God.

And what good works should you do? Well, there is good news here – you don’t have to make any good works up. Simply look at the Commandments, look at the Law which does not perish, not an iota, not a dot of that Law will perish until it is all fulfilled.

God says, “You will have no other gods before Me.” So do the good work of believing God. Fear, love, and trust in Him above all things. He is saying, “Bet all your chips on Me being a good God to you.”

God says, “You will not take My name in vain.” Do the good work of calling upon His Name whenever you have any need. Do the good work of praising His Name.

God says, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Do the good work of hearing God’s Word which declares you, to be a sinner, but which also declares that you, sinner, are made righteous because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

God says, “Honor your father and mother.” Do the good work of recognizing the gifts that God gives you in those in authority above you. First, in your parents but also in the other authorities over you who provide for you and protect you.

God says, “You will not kill.” Do the good work of defending the lives of others by helping and befriending your neighbor.

God says, “You will not commit adultery.” Do the good work of loving your spouse.

God says, “You will not steal.” Do the good work of assisting your neighbor in keeping his property and living.

God says, “You will not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Do the good work of speaking the truth. Be honest. Defend your neighbor when others gossip.

God says, “You will not covet.” Do the good work of not longing for and craving what God hasn’t given you. Instead, do the good work of being content with what He has given you.

Will you fail to do these good works? Yes. Resoundingly, yes. When you fail to do these things, God says you are a sinner. But still believe that. Believe that you are a sinner becauseJesus has come, not for the righteous, for you, sinner. Believe that He has fulfilled the whole Law and gives His righteousness, His good works, to you.

Believe what Jesus says about you. You are forgiven. You are His beloved child. You are His salt. You are His light. Believe Jesus because you are what Jesus says you are. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.