A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: THE SALT OF THE EARTH
Grace and peace to you,
This Sunday, we conclude our series on discipleship/spiritual practices that took inspiration from this passage in Acts 2:
The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ 
teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, Common English Bible).
By their actions, these disciples (students/learners/followers) and apostles (teachers/messengers) have become salt and light for the earth. Their light is not under a bushel (Matthew 5:13-16). By their actions, they have become the hope for their corner of the world (Romans 15:13-16). Paul recognizes this in the Jesus follower church in Rome.
Would we be recognized as hope for a weary world? Would we be recognized as salt and light? Why is salt so important in Jesus’ time, seen as incredibly valuable and an essential part of life? Salt had many uses besides seasoning food (anyone on a salt-free diet can attest that takes some getting used to!). It was used as a preservative, a disinfectant, treating wounds, currency – Roman soldiers might see part of their paychecks in salt – and even as a temple offering in sacrifices.
Jesus tells his disciples they are the salt of the earth and as individuals and as a community of believers, to live like they know that. As a community that knows they are the salt of the earth, their lives reflect all the things that salt can bring to a community – flavor, healing, preserving the Gospel truth, exhibiting mercy and grace but most of all bringing the flavor of God’s love to all.
Jesus also says – you are the light of the world. Light that illuminates the shadows. Light that has been and always will be. Light that brings hope.
And, you are these things now – not in some distant future, but now. Jesus is reminding his disciples that having the knowledge that you are these things isn’t enough – you have to live it as individuals and as a community of faith. Discipleship isn’t theoretical – it is everyday practice – the ultimate way of being and functioning in the world.
The practices we have explored these past weeks strengthen us, guide us and give us courage to live discipleship, not just think discipleship. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Know it, live it. Come and explore together this Sunday!
Blessings,
Pastor Karen