13"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
I had heard the phrases "You are the salt of the earth" and "Let your light so shine forth" before but had never really given them much thought. If we are the salt but have the potential of losing our flavor, the flavor must be something that was given to us. But what is it? What is our light that we are supposed to let shine? I had always thought of it as being the light of Jesus shining through us, but I am not sure Jesus is talking about that this early in His ministry.
But as I realize that this is right after the beatitudes, I wonder if he is still talking about our many blessings. We are the salt of the earth. We are all seasoned by God through the many blessing He has given us. We should recognize those blessings for what they are and not let them be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You have been blessed with the kingdom of heaven, comfort, many things of the earth, quenched needs, a vision of God, and a reputation as a child of God. Do not throw back these gifts that have been given or let them be trampled upon by others. They are yours. They make you the flavored salt you can be.
And when you receive these gifts, don't hide them. Let your joy and excitement of these gifts radiate through you as a light for others to see. I don't think the statement of doing good works means that the way to shine is through good works, but when you are appreciating your many blessings, you cannot help but provide good works. Your light will help others to see God in your light so they too can glorify God in heaven.
A line that puzzled me was "A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." Is this referring to show your blessings on a hill so everyone can see, just as placing a lamp on a lamp stand would share the light throughout the house? Or is it even possibly referring to a city of lights. Each of us has a light to shine. When many of us are together and our lights shine, we cannot be hidden. I think of the city lights when out at night. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. I just wonder if this is asking us to work with other Christians to form a city of lights which cannot be hidden.
Being the light has been referred to once before in the Book of Matthew: Matthew 4:16 said "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." This is referring to Jesus as the great light who was coming to the region of Capernaum. He is the great Light to light the way for all of us to follow. We are the light of the world. While here on earth, we receive many blessings, and show the light for other mortal men to see, so they too can Glorify God in heaven.