In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses two of the most common elements of ancient life—salt and light—to describe the identity and mission of his followers. He doesn’t say we should try to be salt and light; he says we are salt and light. This is not a suggestion for our future selves, but a statement of our current reality.

As the salt of the earth, we are reminded that in the ancient world, salt was the primary preservative. Without refrigeration, salt was the only thing standing between food and decay. By calling us salt, Jesus suggests that our role is to prevent moral and spiritual decay in the world around us. We are meant to enhance the “flavor” of life by bringing out the goodness in others and to create a “thirst” for something deeper. However, the warning is equally potent: if we blend in so much that we are indistinguishable from the world, we lose our purpose and become ineffective.

Jesus then shifts to the imagery of light, noting that a town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Light is inherently meant to be seen; it doesn’t exist for its own sake but to illuminate everything else. He points out the absurdity of lighting a lamp only to hide it under a bowl. In our modern context, “shining our light” often happens in the digital and social spaces we inhabit. Whether through a kind word, an act of integrity, or standing up for the marginalized, our visibility is meant to guide others rather than blind them with self-righteousness.

The ultimate goal of this “saltiness” and “brightness” is not personal recognition. Jesus is clear that we let our light shine so that others may see our good deeds and “glorify your Father in heaven.” We are like mirrors, reflecting a greater source of light. When we live with integrity and compassion, we aren’t drawing attention to our own brilliance, but pointing toward the Creator. Today, the challenge is to consider whether we are seasoning our environments with grace or if we have allowed our light to be dimmed by fear and conformity.