Hello Everyone,
If you were to preach through Matthew 5:13-16, what would be your main point? This main point would be determined by the central idea of this passage. The needs of your congregation would shape your imperative theme, which is the particular response from them that you expect to achieve from your message. Please read the following summary of Matthew 5:13-16, which provides these answers for you.
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus uses salt-and-light as metaphors to explain the disciples’ responsibility to call the nations to salvation and discipleship through the Gospel. Having listed in the Beatitudes the characteristics of those disciples whom God has predestined to embrace the Great Commission, Jesus now presents their missionary purpose or call. Therefore, Matthew 5:13-16 must be interpreted within the context of the Great Commission (28:18-20). This Commission gives a charge to disciple nations with a two-fold approach to both water baptize (evangelize) as well as teach God’s Word. Within the context of the Sermon on the Mount, these salt-light metaphors appear to reflect the plan of discipleship found in the Great Commission.
Regarding the salt metaphor, Quarles says salt symbolizes the call of the disciples to “transform this corrupt world” through conversion. As the salt of the earth, the disciples are sent forth to preach the Gospel to bring salvation to the nations, creating a people purified before God through the Atonement of Jesus. Interpreting Jesus’ statement of casting away unsavoury salt in the context of ‘calling’, Witherington says, “The point is this—if a disciple ceases to function in the one capacity in which he or she is truly valuable, namely bearing witness to the world by word and deed, then that disciple is worthless, fit only to be cast out.”
Regarding the light metaphor, Quarles says, “In the OT ‘light’ symbolized revelation and instruction, the law, hope, joy, righteousness, salvation, and the radiance of divine presence.” Within the context of the Sermon on the Mount, this author adopts the view that light symbolizes the revelation of God’s Word through the process of discipleship that takes place from the time of one’s salvation experience. Matthew has already used the light metaphor in 4:14-16 to symbolize the Gospel. As the light of the world, the disciples are sent forth to teach the Word of God that brings enlightenment for salvation and Christian growth. When a disciple is walking in the blessings of the Beatitudes, he becomes a bearer of God’s grace to mankind through the Gospel. Thus, Jesus tells His disciples in 5:13-16 that they are to fulfill the Great Commission by calling the nations to salvation and discipleship through the Gospel. They must learn to walk in the virtues found in 5:3-12 in order that they might serve as salt-and-light to reveal God’s message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Central Ideas - Here are proposed statements expressing the central ideas in Matthew 5:13-16 emphasizing the divine calling of those members of the kingdom of Heaven:
Exegetical Idea of the Text—Jesus taught His disciples the principles of a divine calling to the nations through the preaching of the Gospel in order that they might fulfill the Great Commission.
Theological Idea of the Text—God has extended His call of salvation to the nations as the disciples of Jesus go forth to fulfill the Great Commission as a witness that the kingdom of Heaven has come.
Homiletical Idea of the Text—Because the Kingdom of Heaven has come, disciples of Jesus are sent forth to preach the Gospel to call nations to salvation in order to fulfill the Great Commission.