This Wednesday, May 30, we will be having our Matthew bible study. Last week we concluded our study of the "beatitudes." That was a very rewarding study for myself and I trust it was the same for you. This Wednesday we will study Matthew 5:13-16. Here are some thoughts, comments, questions, and observations to help you with your study of this passage for our study.
1. This portion of Scripture is easily divided into two parables. The parable of the salt and of the light.
2. What is to be understood by calling us "salt?" Is it seasoning, preservative, both, or are we reading to much into it? What is to be understood about the basic character of Christ's disciples by calling us "salt?"
3. Vincent shares in "Word Studies in the New Testament" this story -
Dr. Thompson (“The Land and the Book”) cites the following case: “A merchant of Sidon, having farmed of the government the revenue from the importation of salt, brought over a great quantity from the marshes of Cyprus — enough, in fact, to supply the whole province for many years. This he had transferred to the mountains, to cheat the government out of some small percentage of duty. Sixty-five houses were rented and filled with salt. Such houses have merely earthen floors, and the salt next the ground was in a few years entirely spoiled. I saw large quantities of it literally thrown into the road to be trodden under foot of men and beasts. It was ‘good for nothing.’ ”
4. According to verse 16, what is to be the purpose, or end result, of our being a "light?"
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