Please pass the salt

By Doug Wigginton

February 1, 2026

“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.”

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In 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.” Matthew 5.13-16

This passage comes from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus picked his disciples, started teaching and healing, and now, with many people listening, he’s talking to them. He starts by saying his disciples are blessed, not because of what they’ve done, but because of who they are (see Matthew 5:1-12). Blessed/happy are those who are poor, who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. With this unique idea of who the blessed are, Jesus keeps going with two strong statements: “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world.”

Picture this: imagine you’re hearing Jesus’ life-changing words. Everyone would get why salt and light are important. But it must have been a shock to the disciples and everyone else when Jesus used salt and light as metaphors to describe what the disciples should do in the Kingdom of Heaven. It must have felt like a huge affirmation, so much so that it took the disciples a while to understand that being salt meant they had responsibilities.

Salt was used to make food taste better. It also kept meat fresh and safe from going bad. Sometimes, they used salt to make the soil grow better. And in some cases, salt was used to get rid of weeds. Salt was also a symbol of being clean. Jesus told his disciples they should be the salt of the earth. What Jesus is saying is that the kingdom of God depends on how salty (spiritually healthy) the disciples are. In other words, what salt is to food is what salt is to the kingdom.

Jesus highlights the significance of salt by posing a thought-provoking question and offering a straightforward response. Essentially, Jesus wondered, “What good is a disciple if he loses his saltiness?” Jesus didn’t hold back; his answer was that a disciple would become useless, “No longer good for anything.” So, that’s a bit of a departure from the “meek” and judgment-free Jesus we might imagine.

Jesus then continues, saying, “You are ‘the light of the world.’” Light serves many purposes. We don’t see light itself; we only see what it illuminates. In today’s reading, the light acts like a modern GPS, guiding travelers safely through a world clouded by sin. Light draws people into its kingdom, fosters community, and enhances the beauty of its members.

While the main goal of light is to illuminate, it can also be intimidating. Light reveals everything, no matter who wants to be seen. So, light isn’t always welcome. In fact, many would consider an unwelcome light intrusive (see John 1:9-1). There will always be those who will, at any cost, try to extinguish this light. Without light, nothing can grow; no light, no life. Therefore, hiding one’s light for any reason and at any cost is not an option for a disciple who wants to stay a disciple.

Imagine a world without salt and light—it would be a world of decay and destruction, eventually swallowed by the earth. Just as Jesus shared with his disciples, He reminds us that to find purpose, meaning, and happiness, we must become the salt that enhances and preserves our small but important role in God’s growing Kingdom. Those who become salt and light in the Kingdom of Heaven will shine brightly, like a city on a hill. We become a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding those who wander away. Remember, salt and light are not just for themselves; they are meant to teach others what it means to be part of God’s Kingdom. Sometimes, doing what is right should be done quietly. But this is not one of those times (Matthew 5:16). Don’t be afraid to be the salt you were meant to be, and let your light shine so others can experience the goodness of God’s Kingdom. Their purpose is to show others what it means to be part of God’s Kingdom. Sometimes, it’s right to do good things quietly, but this is not one of those times (Matthew 5:16). Don’t hold back—be the salt you were meant to be, and let your light shine so others can experience the goodness of God’s Kingdom too.