Reflections for Youth - Salt and Light

Salt and Light.
That's what Jesus says we are.  

So, let's tune in to our next adventure with Jesus according to the Gospel of Matthew. If we pick up where we left off last week, we find Jesus on the side of a mountaintop with the disciples teaching and preaching what is known as "The Sermon on the Mount."  In the previous passage, Jesus shared the Beatitudes (blessings).  Now, once again, Jesus is using common things that all people know about to teach about how God wants us to live and be. 

Salt and Light. 

Read Matthew 5: 13-20 (NRSV)

Jesus said to those listening, “You are salt to the rest of the world.”

And the people listening probably said, “Whaaaat?”

Jesus explained how salt is important to make food taste better and to keep it from going bad. Just a little pinch of salt can make a big difference in the food we eat. Jesus said that we may feel small, like a tiny speck of salt, but we are important and what we do can make a difference in the world.

Then, Jesus said we are light to the rest of the world.  And the people probably said “Whaaat?”

Jesus explained how even a small lamp can light up a big room. His message: Even though you are just one person what you do and say changes the world around you.  He said you shouldn’t hide the bright light that you are. Show the love you have for God every day.

What am I thinking about this week? Similes and metaphors. (I know - I am kind of a nerd:) 
So, a simile is aa figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind.  A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action which is not literally applicable. 

Here are some examples: 
Life is like a box of chocolates. (Simile)
My life is an open book. (Metaphor)
The baby is as cute as a button. (Simile)

Baby, you're a firework. (Metaphor)

So the scripture passage here has Jesus saying "You are salt. You are light."  So, he's using a metaphor. 

A simile would be if Jesus said: "You are like salt. You are like light." (This is the way it is sometimes repeated and translated.) 

If there a difference?  My answer? I don't know.  This is something I am thinking about. What do you think? 

Here are some other questions to think about this week: 

In what ways can you be salt in your home, school, community?

What ways can you be light in your home, school, and community?

P.S. Try reading this scripture passage from a different Bible translation.  I like this wording from The Message  Matthew 5: 13-20 (The Message)