( Matthew 5,13-16 ) - [ Deutsch ]
Salt and Light
We learned about the mystery of the salt people this week during Kids week. We called them salt people, light people or Jesus’ friends.
The children heard about the exciting adventures and stories of the first Christians and learned about 4 principles of the salt people.
1. salt people share and encourage
2. salt people protect and help
3. salt people know God's spiritual power
4. salt people love the light
Why are they actually called salt people?
It has to do with Jesus, who encouraged his disciples, but indirectly also the first Christians and us:
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt becomes insipid, with what shall we salt?
It has become completely useless, thrown away and trampled on by people.
You are the light of the world. The city high on the mountain cannot hide.
No one lights a light and then puts it under a jar. Rather, it is placed on the lampstand. Then it shines for all who are in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine for the people, so that they may see your good deeds and praise your God in heaven."
Personally, I haven't come across bland salt yet. But I have tasted bland food. Salt helps to spice up food, even sweet dishes taste more intense with a little salt.
So, what does Jesus want to tell us? If we see ourselves as the salt of the earth, then we can be the flavour enhancer in other people's lives.
But sometimes too much salt can also spoil the soup.
For example, because you realize that another way might be better after all, but not quite as convenient, or because you see people who are good role models, and you start to question yourself and your own behaviour.
Being a good role model, doing good deeds, shining a light for others is quite a task. Fortunately, Jesus' words are also a promise: we are already the light of the world, all of us together. And we spread the light throughout the world because we Christians tell people about God's love and grace, and together we bring about good in the world.
The salt people are the spice in their families, villages and cities. Without them, life would be dull and boring. They share everything they have. They are courageous and confess God. They help many people. They stand together, they are good friends. They are full of love and power. They stand up for justice and peace.
Not everything can be implemented one-to-one today as it was when the first Christians lived. We no longer share everything with each other, but it could be an incentive to share more with each other. Even back then it was not only about money. It is about being there for each other, listening, sharing time and attention with others.
And if I can, I will support others financially as well.
Even with the salt people, things didn't always go smoothly and there were arguments. It helped them to listen and find a solution to their problems together. It is not always easy to settle a dispute, the children have experienced this during the week just as we adults know it from our lives.
The salt people listened to what people's needs were and then acted. We too can take the salt people as an example and first listen to what the needs of others are and lovingly acknowledge them before we set out together to find a solution to our dispute.
The Holy Spirit is the great power of God that cannot be seen or heard. But it is always there, just like the air that surrounds us. God's Spirit shows us that God loves us. Then as now, it is important for us humans, it brings us new thoughts and sometimes also gives us special powers. Where God's spiritual power is found, people are moved and changed, enlivened and secure in God's love.
God's light is stronger than darkness. God's light is stronger than death. And the Word of God, the good news of God's love and grace, which we can experience, is like light. Christians are like light. And the light spreads and more and more people hear about it, it even spreads to you and me. We hear about it and recognize it in the stories of Jesus and the salt people. The Word of God shines like a light, dispels the darkness and makes us courageous.
Even today, we can be salt and light people and adhere to the 4 principles.
In conclusion, this can be summarized in a simple way:
"Trust firmly in God and do good to people, and you will be salt of the earth and light to the world."