Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 5:13-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. Verse 14"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. Verse 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Verse 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Verse 17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Verse 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Verse 19Therefore, whoever breaks 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. Verse 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Devotion
I’ve heard it said that the difference between a bad cook and a good one comes down to salt—knowing how much to use, when to add it, and how to mix it into food so it adds just the right sparkle and zing to every dish.
A whole meal may contain a spoonful of salt, all told—but you would never want to eat all that salt in one bite! Salt only does its job when it is well dispersed.
It is the same with the church. We gather to encourage and support one another in our walk with Jesus, but we are only really doing our job when we disperse to our neighborhoods, families, and workplaces. Only there, in the corners of the everyday world, can we follow our real call: bringing the flavor of Jesus’ resurrection with us everywhere we go.
Prayer
Jesus, I lift before you the places and people I will encounter today. How would you like me to represent your goodness among those to whom you will send me? Help me sense your nudges to bring love into the small things of my life today. Amen.