The Surprising Message of Jesus
This well-known Gospel reading we hear today—”You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world”—comes from the fifth chapter of Matthew. It follows immediately after the Beatitudes, where Jesus flips everything upside down. He elevates those who are suffering, telling people with no power, authority, or religious significance in their time that they are blessed—and that they will be the ones to carry God’s message forward. The surprise of Jesus’ message is that He chooses those we would never choose. He sees things in our lives that we view as insignificant as the most significant. Jesus preaches a message of surprise, and we should all be surprised.
Whose Side is Jesus On?
This is not a typical message. Yet, as we continue listening to Jesus, it’s difficult for us to pick a side: Whose side is Jesus on? Initially, it’s easy to assume Jesus has come to overthrow the old system. So, we think, don’t worry about the Pharisees and Sadducees, those religious leaders, with their rituals, teachings, and laws. Just be free. And yes, Jesus does speak of a freedom that goes beyond mere legalism.
Upholding the Law
But lest we get ahead of ourselves, notice how Jesus ends His teaching today. He says those who follow the law will be greater in the kingdom of heaven. And not only that—unless you keep the law as well as, or even better than, the Pharisees and Sadducees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. In other words, Jesus is saying: Yes, I have come to go beyond the law and rituals, but I still want you to follow them perfectly—even more perfectly than the religious leaders of the day.
The Dilemma of Freedom and Fidelity
So which is it? Am I to be free from the shackles of religiosity? Or am I to follow religious prescriptions even more faithfully than the leaders? The answer Jesus offers is: It’s both. One leads to the other. In other words, Jesus presents us with the middle way. Remember that phrase—the middle way?
Defining the Middle Way
This isn’t the middle way of sitting on the fence, refusing to choose sides to avoid trouble or commitment, doing nothing. No—it’s the middle way of “both-and.” Rituals, sacraments, church buildings, and institutional religious life, when practiced well, actually lead to the freedom Jesus describes. How do we know? Look to the Old Testament. Even there, the prophet Isaiah reveals God’s will before Jesus arrived: What kind of fasting does God desire? Not just from food and drink, but from evil deeds—by freeing the oppressed, pursuing social justice for those with no voice.
No Need to Choose Sides
We don’t have to choose. Even in the Old Testament, the tragedy of the Jewish people wasn’t receiving the wrong message; it was failing to fully live it. They kept it to themselves instead of heeding the prophets, who said this message is for everyone—and it must make a difference in how we treat those around us, especially the poor and needy.
Our Dual Role as Followers of Christ
So, what is our role as Christians? What is my role as a follower of Jesus? Is it to read Scripture? Or to go out and feed the hungry? It’s both. It has to be both. That’s where we get into trouble—it’s easier and safer to pick one side: I’ll just feed the hungry, or I’ll just read Scripture and grow spiritually closer to Jesus. But one needs the other. That’s why Jesus is such a challenging preacher: He doesn’t give easy answers that let us off the hook or tell us to stay in our lane.
Lessons from the Amish Community
My family has been fascinated by a show on the Learning Channel called *Suddenly Amish*. It follows an Amish community that’s shrinking, so they invite outsiders—”English” people, as they call non-Amish—to join and help pass on their faith. It’s intriguing from sociological, psychological, and religious angles. But what connects to our Gospel is the beauty of the Amish way: They take Scripture seriously, believing and living it. Yet they segregate themselves from the world, viewing society as too dangerous to engage.
Avoiding Extremes in Faith
That’s one extreme way of living the Christian message: The world is so dangerous, I’ll separate entirely. The other extreme is embracing the world so fully that we become infected by its values, slowly losing what we know from God, Scripture, and revelation. The middle way—which I believe Jesus proposes, and we as Anglicans strive to live—is “both-and.” There’s an element of our Christian life that must be protected, so sacred that nothing can influence it. But we also have a responsibility to live in the world, shaping the culture around us with goodness, mercy, and service—not being shaped by it—and hopefully inspiring others toward peace.
Who Are You at Your Core?
Let me offer this as a closing thought. I once sat with a successful businessperson seeking spiritual direction. He struggled with fears of losing his job, money, prestige—everything. I asked him: “Who are you? Is there something in you that can never be lost, that no one can take away?” That’s the core question: Who am I? Am I my job, career, or relationships? All those can vanish. My prestige, money, fame—even good looks fade. Is there something untouchable?
Affirmed by Jesus as Salt and Light
Notice what Jesus says: “You are the salt of the earth… the light of the world.” You are what sustains life. You are the image of the living God. Not “you will be” or “you might be”—you *are*. At your core, you already are. The early Christians boldly called each other saints, despite imperfections, knowing they carried God’s light and purity within—like salt, indestructible.
Believing in Our Inherent Identity
Do we believe that? Do I believe I am already what I hope to be—that great husband, that faithful disciple? It’s within me; I don’t need to search elsewhere. I just reach deep and seek what God has given.
Meaning in an Age of Change
Who are you? Who am I? With the rise of artificial intelligence, experts warn of a crisis: loss of meaning. If jobs vanish, everything is plentiful, and there’s no need for struggle or creativity—what then? If meaning comes only from what we do professionally, yes, crisis. But if we return to who God says we are—children of God, salt of the earth, light of the world—there is no crisis. Returning to God and His revelation answers these foreseen tragedies. I hope we trust God’s word: You already are what you hope to become.