My Daily Journal:
These 4 verses could be an entire lesson on their own. They have been the topic of many a sermon and we could go in lots of directions in discussing them.
We take them for granted today. Salt is so plentiful we use it by the truckload on our streets. Light is as easy as flipping a switch. But that has not always been the case. Salt was so difficult to mine and so important for food preservation that wars have been fought over it and soldiers were paid with it (our word salary comes from the word salt). Light was fire which required fuel.
But one of the critical elements is salt and light are simple concepts. This is direction for the common man. This is accessible to all of us. This isn’t a breast plate of jewels, an ephod or tassles. This is salt and light. This is stuff everyone uses every day.
And that is part of the message. This is for every day, not just days of special events or festivals. This is a daily walk, a daily meal, a daily task.
But it is also not only for us. In my lesson, I am using the illustration of a lighthouse. Picture you are a lighthouse operator. Shining your light attracts bugs (persecution) and it takes energy and effort to keep it burning. It is tempting to give it a rest – to turn it off every now and then. But you have no idea what ships at sea are seeing your light and navigating their path through your light. In the same way, we often don’t see or even know how our reflection of the gospel in our lives is influencing others. So, which day is the critical day to shine your light? Every single day!
If we are salt – how can we be salt in the world? How do we get out of the salt shaker? The important thing to keep in mind is that we are not called to do this on our own. We are just salt. But Christ is the Master Chef. It is by putting ourselves in His hands that we are used to perfection as a flavoring to the world. Not too much, not too little, just perfectly. It is by being at His command and use that we preserve and purify. When He reaches for the salt, we should be at hand and ready. We should be pure and not diluted. When He calls your name the correct response is “here I am.”
My Answers:
9.
a.
As a preservative, payment, purifier and flavor enhancer
b.
By staying pure and true to God’s calling. By not becoming diluted, but showing the good news of the gospel message in words and acts.
c.
Work with children through church in teaching about new bibles, Sunday School, passover/Easter teaching with kids, BSF
d.
It is the difference between being on the bench and being in the game. It is the difference of sitting in the dark and being in the hands of the master cook.
10.
a.
Light is life, it overcomes darkness, it lights a path, it is a warning, it shows the way home, it warms and comforts, it provides a necessary element to work
b.
Protecting eyes. Allowing light that is in us to shine to others (not hidden)
11.
transformation through submission. We are reshaped/remade into
12.
a.
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven
b.
To show me how I’m hiding the light He has given me and giving me the opportunity and courage to let it shine.
The Notes are Good 