Today, we continue our “Aim Up!” sermon series based on the teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7. These messages aim to align our lives with the high ideals and moral principles that Jesus taught to help us reflect God’s love, kindness, and compassion in every aspect of our existence.

For today’s sermon, we are learning from Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus calls his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let’s read the text,

“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. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it 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.

These words from Jesus are a part of his Sermon on the Mount and serve as a powerful reminder of our role as Christians in positively influencing the world around us. Jesus uses two vivid metaphors of being salt and light to illustrate how we are to impact the people around us and reflect God’s goodness through our actions and character.

Let us start with salt. When Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth, he tells us far more than we might initially think. In the ancient world, salt was a valuable commodity. Just as it is used today to preserve food and add flavor, it was used back then, but it was considered much more precious than we treat it today. So much so that it was even used as currency. Roman soldiers often received a portion of their wages in salt. We derive the word “salary” from this practice, highlighting salt’s vital role in ancient economies.

So, the people who first heard Jesus say this would have thought about it quite differently than we do today. To be called “the salt of the earth” was a significant compliment, implying immense value and necessity. When Jesus tells us we are the salt of the earth, he is saying that we are essential and invaluable in this life, inviting us to consider our impact on the world. Just as salt seasons, preserves, and sustains we bring flavor and stability to the lives around us. However, salt’s true worth is only realized when it is used in combination with other things. It is not something that is consumed on its own. Its purpose is to season and preserve, to add flavor, and to prevent decay. This means we find our true purpose in life, not in living for ourselves but in living for God and serving others. Just as salt is most effective when it is dispersed and blended into food, we, too, are called to engage with the world around us. It is about being present in the world to make it “taste” better, to preserve it, and to add value to it. This role is an influence that extends to our families, workplaces, communities, and beyond

However, salt’s true worth is only realized when it is used in combination with other things. It is not something that is consumed on its own. Its purpose is to season and preserve, to add flavor, and to prevent decay. This means we find our true purpose in life, not in living for ourselves but in living for God and serving others. Just as salt is most effective when it is dispersed and blended into food, we, too, are called to engage with the world around us. It is about being present in the world to make it “taste” better, to preserve it, and to add value to it. This role is an influence that extends to our families, workplaces, communities, and beyond.

On the other hand, we are also called to be the light of the world. Just as with salt, light was much more precious in Jesus’s time before electricity. Unlike today, when we can easily flip a switch to illuminate a room, turn on our cars’ headlights when driving at night, or use a flashlight when walking a dark path, people back then had to work for every bit of light they used.

An old Roman proverb reflects this when it says there is nothing more valuable than the sun and salt. While salt preserves food and adds flavor, the sun provides the light and warmth necessary for life making both indispensable for daily living. This is what Jesus is calling us to be: sun and salt.

So, not only are our lives capable of preserving and adding value to others, but we are also given the task of lighting up the world around us so others may see that we are all created by God, that we are his children, that we are loved, that we are not alone, and that our lives matter.

This is a reminder of how incredibly important and valuable we are and that we must not let our light go out without fulfilling its purpose. The people around you do not listen with their ears; they listen with their eyes. What we do is what they hear. Our behavior is like walking flashlights, and we have so much capacity to be a positive influence and blessing to those around us. If salt makes life “taste” better, light shows us how to get there.

For this, Jesus instructs us to let our light shine in church and community. Every one of us has some light to offer the world, and even if you think you don’t have much to give—not enough time, talent, or resources—every light matters; every person counts; every act of love, kindness, and generosity is lighting the way for someone around you.

But what if the salt loses its taste? What if the light remains hidden? There is a common phrase used in different variations in songs and poems that a lot of people can relate to at some point in their lives: “Somewhere along the way, I lost myself.” Have you ever thought of it or said it yourself?

The phrase, “Somewhere along the way, I lost myself,” is often used or thought of when we feel disconnected from our true identity, values, or purpose. It reflects a sense of confusion or disorientation about who we are and what we stand for. This feeling can arise from life pressures, prioritizing societal expectations over personal convictions, or focusing too much on success, wealth, and approval. It also happens when we become self-centered, prioritizing personal gain over helping others.

For this, “Somewhere along the way, I lost myself” is a lament we express when we realize we have no idea where we are, what we have done with our lives, what we are supposed to be about, or when we have more regrets than gratitude. This disconnection not only diminishes our own sense of fulfillment and joy but also robs us of our ability to add “flavor” and light to the world around us. When we lose touch with who we are and what we are meant to be, we become like salt that has lost its taste and like a hidden light, unable to illuminate the path before us, much less the path for others.

But here is where Jesus finds us, restores us, and renews our purpose in our lives. Here is when we stop saying, “Somewhere along the way, I lost myself,” and start saying, “I was lost, but now I am found!” It is Jesus who restores our “saltiness” and brightness by reconnecting us with our true purpose and identity in him. Through his teachings and presence in our lives, he helps us realign with the core values of his Kingdom and reminds us of our sacred worth and the unique gifts and talents we possess so people can taste and see the goodness of God through us.

If you feel lost, confused, without flavor, and with the light going out in your life, you can get it all back by letting Jesus guide and teach you through prayer, studying the Bible, and being a part of a faith community. My personal testimony to you is that when we allow Jesus to work in our hearts and minds, he restores our passion and clarity and gives us amazing things to do to make the world taste better and look brighter.

Do you know what this means? It means we find ourselves when we let God work through us and give ourselves to add value to others. It means our mission in life is not self-centered or self-serving. Just as salt, we are not meant to exist for our own sake in isolation but to be catalysts for change, love, and compassion in the world.

What would it look like for the people in your life to taste and see the goodness of God through you? This might look like being patient and listening actively to your spouse or children, offering support and encouragement to your family. It could look like intentionally setting aside time for meaningful conversations, helping with household chores without being asked, or planning family activities that foster connection and growth. In the workplace, it could involve treating colleagues with kindness and respect, even when disagreements arise. In anything you do, it means maintaining integrity, being honest and fair in all dealings, and helping those around you who might be struggling. This is not Rocket Science. Simply put, being salt and light is living for something greater than ourselves, making things “taste” better, preserving them, and adding value to them.

So, can we agree that our world could use some flavor and that darkness still exists today, just as it always has? Our world is broken, often filled with fear, discouragement, skepticism, anger, and frustration. But each one of you can change it because the beautiful thing about salt and light is that even a small amount can make a big difference. Just as a tiny portion of salt can add flavor to a whole pot of beans, even a little light can illuminate a dark place. Who you are and what God wants to do through you is exactly what this world needs.

Today, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on how you can let your light shine and add flavor to the lives of those around you. Ask yourself: How can I bring hope, love, and encouragement to my family, friends, and community? Let us “Aim Up!” by committing to living out the high ideals and moral principles that Jesus taught so that we may reflect God’s love, justice, and mercy in every aspect of our lives. Amen.