Recognizing our value to the Kingdom

Jesus follows the incredible introduction of the Kingdom of blessings by telling us how much value we carry. We may not have respect for the value of salt and light, but the disciples listening to Jesus knew exactly what He was saying.

Because Jesus offers the Kingdom, they have the most valuable mission in the world. You are blessed to be in the Kingdom, now take the Kingdom to everyone else.

The term salary comes from the word salt. In the Roman world, soldiers were paid with salt, and the old saying “worth your salt” comes from the idea of being compensated with a measurement of salt.

Value is the subject that Jesus moves to. This world is enriched and preserved by the Kingdom of Heaven. So, don’t lose your savor. Don’t lose your tastiness because your ability to season this world with the good news of Jesus makes you immensely valuable.

Light is another essential need that can be hard to quantify because lighting is ultimately cheap today. But it wasn’t always so. Keeping the flame going was a very tedious job. Once upon a time, light was only given by the open flame of fire that consumed wood in a larger setting or oil in a smaller container.

You had to be careful of what it was near and keep the wind from putting it out. To maintain the light takes intentionality, and those with light would never hide it. Display it openly or blow it out.

The world we have today has harnessed the great power of light. From Edison’s bulb and the power industry to TV, cell phone, and computer screens, all utilize light to reveal things.

The internet uses light to transmit and store data worldwide. Light is used to warn of danger, illuminate private homes and provide safety. Focused light is used to perform surgery today. Light is essential to humanity. It was the first thing God commanded for this world to exist. “Let there be light.”

You are salt. You are light. You bring out the taste and beauty of this world. How will people “taste and see” without you being salt and light? You reveal the glory and truth to all people.

You are a city on a hill. So, don’t hide. Don’t turn the lights out. Sure, you may be attacked from time to time, but you will also be blessed and provide hope to people in desperate need.

How do we live in such a way? Let your good works shine and glorify your Father in Heaven. Can you imagine the impact of doing something that revealed the goodness of God to others? Live a virtuous life, and you will reveal the presence of God to a world in need of light. They long for what we have.

Recognize your ultimate value that comes from the blessedness of the Kingdom, and then share the hope that comes from Jesus’ teachings. That is where our hope and significance come from.