In the Scriptures, we see Jesus use four different metaphors to describe how His movement, the Kingdom of God, advances in our world. Jesus said it advances like salt, like light, like yeast, and like good seed that is sown in with the bad.
All four of these things penetrate their environments steadily in a silent and almost invisible way, and they do not leave it the same. It is a silent transformation! There are no marching bands or parading armies waving flags, but its progression is unstoppable. The Scriptures tell us that one day it can be said that, “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).
It is a Kingdom of Love. It is a Kingdom of Light. And it is breaking more and more into our
world, despite the darkness around us. And, importantly, WE are meant to be its agents. We are the love and light workers; we are the bringers of the dawn!
If we are to unpack just one of Jesus’ kingdom agent metaphors, we see the significant role we have to play in seeing Jesus’ kingdom come! In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” This declaration holds several implications:
-There is some kind of darkness in the world around us -- which needs the light.
-There is light already within us -- which we can increase in brightness.
-There are ways we can radiate or shine our light -- into our world.
In this same passage, Jesus also says: “You are the salt of the earth.” The main attributes of salt are that it adds flavor and that it helps to preserve food. This carries a similar implication to our being the light: Our presence is meant to uplift, enhance, and preserve Jesus within our world!
So, when Jesus said that you are the light and that you are the salt of the world, He is saying your influence and your energy is so strong and bright that you will change people just by existing around them. What a beautiful truth!
As you head into your day, what are some ways you can be a silent force of transformation to those around you?
Peace,
Nick
All four of these things penetrate their environments steadily in a silent and almost invisible way, and they do not leave it the same. It is a silent transformation! There are no marching bands or parading armies waving flags, but its progression is unstoppable. The Scriptures tell us that one day it can be said that, “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).
It is a Kingdom of Love. It is a Kingdom of Light. And it is breaking more and more into our
world, despite the darkness around us. And, importantly, WE are meant to be its agents. We are the love and light workers; we are the bringers of the dawn!
If we are to unpack just one of Jesus’ kingdom agent metaphors, we see the significant role we have to play in seeing Jesus’ kingdom come! In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” This declaration holds several implications:
-There is some kind of darkness in the world around us -- which needs the light.
-There is light already within us -- which we can increase in brightness.
-There are ways we can radiate or shine our light -- into our world.
In this same passage, Jesus also says: “You are the salt of the earth.” The main attributes of salt are that it adds flavor and that it helps to preserve food. This carries a similar implication to our being the light: Our presence is meant to uplift, enhance, and preserve Jesus within our world!
So, when Jesus said that you are the light and that you are the salt of the world, He is saying your influence and your energy is so strong and bright that you will change people just by existing around them. What a beautiful truth!
As you head into your day, what are some ways you can be a silent force of transformation to those around you?
Peace,
Nick