Lessons from Parables: The parable of Salt and Light

 

Reference: Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus told His followers: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

What Salt and Light Meant Back Then

To understand Jesus’ point, it helps to know what salt and light did in His day.

Salt was super important. There were no fridges, so people used salt to keep meat from going bad. Salt also made bland food taste good. If salt got mixed with dirt or other minerals, it lost its “saltiness” and became useless.

Light was usually from small oil lamps. A single lamp could light a whole room. But if you hid it under a bowl, it couldn’t do its job. A city on a hill was seen for miles at night because of all its lamps.

Key Lessons:

We have a purpose: Preserve and add flavor.  

Just like salt keeps food from rotting, followers of Jesus are called to stop decay in the world. That means standing up for what’s right, being honest, and showing kindness. Salt also makes food better. Our words and actions should make life better for people around us - not bitter.

We have a purpose: Shine and guide.  

Light pushes back darkness. Jesus says we are the light of the world. That doesn’t mean we’re perfect. It means we reflect His light. We help people see truth, hope, and a better way to live. Hiding our faith is like putting a lamp under a bowl - it helps no one. Useless salt and hidden light don’t help anyone.  

Jesus warns that salt that isn’t salty and light that’s hidden are pointless. If we blend in so much that no one can tell we follow Jesus, we lose our purpose. He’s not saying we’ll lose salvation, but we will lose our impact. The goal isn’t to be seen - it’s for God to be seen.  

Notice Jesus says “let your light shine... so they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father”. We don’t do good things to get applause. We do them so people think, “Wow, God must be good if His people act like that.”

For Today This isn’t a parable to make us feel guilty. It’s a reminder of identity. Jesus doesn’t say “you should be salt and light.” He says “you ARE salt and light.” If you follow Him, that’s already who you are. So the question is: How are you living it out? 

At school: Are your words salty - building others up instead of rotting them with gossip?

At home: Is your attitude like a light - helping your family instead of adding to the darkness?

With friends: Do people see something different in you that makes them curious about God?

Salt works quietly. Light doesn’t shout. You don’t have to be loud to make a difference. Just don’t hide. Don’t lose your flavor.

Lessons from Parables

 

Reference: Luke 16:19-31

### The Story of the Rich Man and the Poor Man

Once there was a rich man. He lived in a big house and wore fancy clothes. Every day he ate yummy food and had lots of toys. He never thought about anyone else.

Right outside his gate sat a poor man named Lazarus. Lazarus was very hungry and his body was covered in sores. He wished he could have just a few crumbs from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs were kind to Lazarus and licked his sores to make him feel better.

One day, both men died.  

Lazarus went to be with Abraham in a happy, peaceful place. The angels took good care of him.

The rich man also died and went to a sad, dark place where he felt very hot and thirsty. He looked up and saw Lazarus far away with Abraham.

The rich man shouted, “Abraham, please send Lazarus to give me a drop of water! I’m so thirsty!”

But Abraham said, “When you were alive, you had everything good, and Lazarus had nothing. Now Lazarus is happy, and you are sad. Also, there is a big gap that no one can cross.”

Then the rich man said, “Please send Lazarus to my brothers so they don’t come to this sad place too!”

Abraham said, “Your brothers already have God’s Word in the Bible. If they don’t listen to that, they won’t believe even if someone comes back from the dead.”

Key Lessons

1. Our choices on earth matter. The rich man ignored Lazarus at his gate. He had the chance to show mercy but didn’t. How we treat people, especially those in need, has eternal weight. 

2. Wealth is not a sign of God’s favor. The rich man had everything in life but ended in torment. Lazarus had nothing but ended in comfort. God looks at the heart, not the bank account.

3. After death, our destiny is fixed. The “great gap” Abraham mentions means there’s no second chance after we die. The time to choose compassion and faith is now.

4. God’s Word is enough. The rich man thought a miracle would convince his brothers. But Abraham says they already have Scripture. If people ignore God’s Word, even a resurrection won’t change them. Jesus later rose from the dead, and many still did not believe.

For Today

This parable isn’t about hating money. It’s about seeing the “Lazarus” at our own gates. Who is hurting, hungry, or lonely near us? Jesus calls us to notice, care, and share what we have. The story reminds us that real life isn’t measured by feasts and fancy clothes, but by love for God and for others.

Think about it: Who is like “Lazarus” around you? Maybe a friend who feels left out, or someone who needs help. You can be kind to them today 😊

Fellowship in the Bible (My learnings on "Fellowship")

 

Here's my personal journey and research with the word fellowship in the Bible. 

1)     Fellowship should be perceived as an offering to the Lord.  This offering should be our active participation and our efforts to offer the best. Leviticus 3:1 - “‘If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect. This verse teaches us that fellowship is an offering and involves our active participation and best efforts.

2)     In the Old Testament, we have many men of God who had Fellowship with God. Enoch was known to have close fellowship with God and so was so many other men of God like Moses, Joshua, Abraham, Jacob, David, the prophets and many more. Genesis 5:23, 24 - Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God.

3)     In the New Testament, our Fellowship is further strengthened with Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2:27 - But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1 John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. Today we get to have fellowship with God because we live in Fellowship with his son Jesus Christ. 

4)     Once we have fellowship with the father son and holy spirit we must have fellowship with each other. 1 John 1:7 - But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

The believers did the following when they had Fellowship with each other.

a)     They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. prayed together. participated in the Lord’s supper and shared their meals and had Fellowship through prayer. Acts 2:42 - All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

b)     They earnestly prayed for each other. Colossians 4:12 - Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.

c)       They praised God. Acts 2:47 - all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

d)     All were one-minded. Acts 4:32 - All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

However, fellowship with each other didn’t mean that all were in the right spirit. The Bible clearly says that there were people who were like wolves among the sheep. 1 Corinthians 5:2 - You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship. 2 Peter 2:13 - Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals. Jude 1:12 - When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.

There were people within the fellowship that could deceive others with their hypocrisy. They looked beautiful and soft from the outside but were interested only in themselves. Beware of them for they are doubly dead and they bear no fruit!!

God's dwelling place

 

Did a small research to find God's dwelling place and I was filled with awe and happiness to bring out the following findings. A dwelling place is a place of rest, comfort and safety. We all would love to come home to unwind and take some rest. We are also ourselves at home. We have heart to heart talks and there is a sense of belonging and connection. 

• God dwells in the heavenlies. (Deuteronomy 26:15 - Now look down from your holy dwelling place in heaven and bless your people Israel …..)

• 2 Samuel 7:6 says  “I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling.” During the time when God saved Israelites from slavery, it says he dwelt in a tent and Tabernacle. How awesome to understand that God didn’t just want to stay in heaven but wanted to be with his people.

• Psalms 26:8 says “I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.” Here we understand that God dwells in his sanctuary or during this time, the Church. How wonderful is it when the brethren come together in unity to worship the Lord. His presence dwells within the Church.

• Psalms 22:3 says that “He inhabits in the praises of Israel, His people”. This is why it is important to praise God.When we praise Him, he builds a dwelling place. When God builds his dwelling place, we could experience Him speaking to us, performing miracles, healing people spiritually and physically and bringing deliverance. Read Psalms 84 to understand how the sons of Korah exalted him in worship. “Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.”

• Ephesians 2:22 - The New Testament paves way to bring man further closer to God through Jesus Christ. God dwells in our hearts through His Spirit. Ephesians 3:17 says “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

• The future is going to be even better because God is going to live among His people. Revelations 21:3 - “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.”

Are you ready and equipped to be in his dwelling place?

For Bible courses, contact 809 8809 609

 

About Love

 - Shaun Thomas

In today's world, the ideology of love, relationships, and loyal connections has been changed to an entirely different way. 

Back in the days when people met each other, when they spent time together they created a trust between them. 

This led to a chain of friendship, relationships and commitment in life which they desired to live with, but nowadays people's focus has been diverted to many materialistic possessions and also to worldly desires. 

Many people nowadays chase money, fame, and unreal love. 

According to the Bible in the book of Romans 12:9-12 it says "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" 

The way people used to connect and have trust between themselves now have all changed, the way people treat others, how relationships break quickly and married couples become strangers within months. 

The reason behind this universal change was cuz of how people normalised things around them. 

Don't the people around us realise, how people fake love and intimacy with their mates.

The person reading this, have you ever loved your mates or your loved ones like how in the Bible book of Romans 12 verse 9 says.

The meaning is simple; be real in love, today's generation people don't know the real meaning of love and affection.

As readers, it's time that we realise how much we have missed our past and have moved in the wrong way ahead in life. 

Love never fails, if it does then it wasn't love.

 

A loving Friend in Jesus

                        - Composed by Anju Elza George

Through the vast sea of life during the journey,

A lovely little boat is sailing in the sea;

With all its calm and glory,

Sails on with just two - yes, Jesus and me!

 

Through waves and tides, so fierce and rise-

Through my heart, so quiet and calm;

In his hands He’ll care and guide,

Through the right path, so sure I am.

When the little stars in the blue black sky,

looks from above with their shining eye;

I felt so small from far so high,

and wish to get two wings and fly.

 

When in my life, I am sad and wan,

When the thunderstorms try to divert my belief;

There’s a friend who does what He can,

To console me with all sorts of relief.

 

When my little heart fills with worries,

When my soul wrinkles like the skins of a crone;

His shining rays of love and peace,

Lighten me whenever I am all alone.

 

Jesus is my friend from dusk to dawn,

In good or bad, He shines like Sol;

He’s with me since the time I was born,

He’s my heart, my soul and all!

For Bible courses, contact 809 8809 609

 

A Call for Spiritual Growth

It is funny and interesting to note that Paul spoke about spiritual maturity to the Jewish believers who were part of the first century church for so long. These believers were spiritually dull and they would not listen to the mature teachings of Paul. They were like babies who needed milk and could not eat solid food. In this passage, Paul goes on to share ways to kill being spiritually dull and indifferent.  

1.    Christians ought to teach others rather than just being taught. (Heb 5:12a)

2.    Christians need to move over from the basic teachings about Christ to deeper understandings. (Heb 6:1)

3.    Christians must self-evaluate. (Heb 6:4)

4.    Christians must strive to bear good fruit. (Heb 6:7,8)

5.    Christians must keep on loving others as long as life lasts in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. (Heb 6:11) 

6.    Christians must follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance (Heb 6:12) 

 

The last two points encourage us to avoid isolating us from our fellow Christians and grow with them instead. Do you feel spiritually dull?

 

For Bible courses, contact 809 8809 609