You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Salt had the ability to draw out and accentuate the flavor of food. It drew out of food that which was distinctive and desirable. If other food was bland or lost its flavor salt could be added in order to rescue it. But for salt itself there was nothing beyond that could be added to salvage a dish. So too with those bringing the Gospel to the world. They had much to offer to those to whom they brought that message. But they needed to be on guard because they were already the last resort. If they lost the purpose that was uniquely and distinctively their own there was nothing else out there to fill the role. The signs that salt was active and functioning was that disciples would be at peace with one another (see Mark 9:50) and that their speech would be gracious (see Colossians 4:6). This may have alluded to the fact that the offerings of Old Covenant were meant to be seasoned with salt (see Leviticus 2:13). As for them, so now for us.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Like salt, light was something which had its existence for the sake of others. Salt by itself was not good eats. Light that didn't illuminate anything did not accomplish any purpose. Both images described what we might call 'being toward the other'. The disciples were called to be the salt of the earth, not just a big storehouse of salt sitting unused. They were called to be the light of the world because their purpose as light was to illuminate the world's darkness and act as a signal to draw the nations to Jesus (see Isaiah 11:10). Thus, the light with which Christians were illuminated in their baptism (hence the candle) was not to be hidden behind the walls of their homes nor even their Church. This was an important reminder in the face of a world that actively persecuted them. But it is still a valuable point of reflection in a world that would prefer not to hear the Gospel message. We may want to preserve our public image and spare our own feelings by hiding the light and thereby avoiding rejection. But if this light is within us our attempts to conceal it will hopefully not succeed, even in spite of our efforts. We'll find it shining through the cracks in our armor as God helps us to be his witnesses even in spite of ourselves. Its very purpose is to "give light to all in the house". We must not fight against it by concealing it, for risk is extinguishing it within us.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.
Our light is evident, not so much in what we say, which is easy to fake, as in what we do. We are the tree that is known by its fruits, fruits which are a testimony to the gardener who gives us the nutrients and care that we need to grow. Words often conceal hypocrisy and double-mindedness. But works are evidence of what the Father is working within us, just as the works of Jesus were for him. Thus we need not just any words, but words seasoned with salt. Nor will any deeds do. We need good deeds illuminated with the light of the Father. But one comforting aspect of these images is that we don't need to discover or invent salt or light for ourselves. We just need to live in accord with what grace has made us to be. Our very nature as Christians is to be salt and light. We need to stop fighting against it and embrace living it more completely.
But the one who gives us security with you in Christ
and who anointed us is God;
he has also put his seal upon us
and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.
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