When Christians are indistinguishable from non-Christians, they are useless for mission. But when Christians intriguethe world they attract the world. (v. 13)
Followers of Jesus are called to be an alternate city within every earthly city; An alternate human culture within every human culture; An alternate kingdom within the kingdom of this world. (v. 14-16)
Jesus came to cast a vision for a truly intriguing life—a life that embodies the kingdom of God right here in the kingdom of this world. (see Matt. 5:17-7:27)
We can only commend Jesus as Lord to the people around us effectively if Jesus is clearly and obviously our Lord.
Questions about salt and light
It means living so distinctly for Jesus that the world takes notice. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again?” (Matthew 5:13). This message puts it plainly: when Christians are indistinguishable from non-Christians, they are useless for mission, but when Christians intrigue the world, they attract the world.
It means Jesus’ followers are meant to be seen, like “a city on a hill” that “cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). This message calls them an alternate city within every earthly city, an alternate culture within every human culture, and an alternate kingdom within the kingdom of this world. Jesus adds, “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (5:16).
Together, salt and light describe a life that embodies the kingdom of God right here in the kingdom of this world. This message says Jesus came to cast a vision for a truly intriguing life, which the rest of the Sermon on the Mount unfolds (Matthew 5:17–7:27). And we can only commend Jesus as Lord to the people around us effectively if he is clearly and obviously our Lord.