Salt and light

I am in the process of preparing my sermon for tomorrow.  The topic is about being salt and light.  It is based on Matthew 5:13-20.  This is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount.  One of the concerns about breaking down scripture into sections such as this is that one can have the tendency to only read the verses without looking at the whole.  I will not be able in the sermon to put this entirely into context but here I would offer some reflection.
Actually the Sermon on the Mount begins with Jesus’ calling of disciples and the healing stories in Chapter 4.  The gospel of Matthew has five major discourses or sermons throughout the gospel.  There are some who feel that Matthew did this to indicate a new Torah.  Jesus becomes the new prophet overshadowing Moses.  The Sermon on the Mount is the first of these discourses. There are many illustrations that point to remembering Moses and especially dealing with Exodus such as Moses going up on the mountain.  Here Jesus goes up on a mountain but rather than the faithful being barred he invites his disciples to come up with him.
There is a distinction between the disciples that come up to sit with him and the crowds that are curious.  The sermon ends with the crowds being amazed in Chapter 7.
The verses that we will be reflecting on this Sunday follow the Beatitudes and need to be seen as a continuation and connection with what was stated and what will follow.  Our ability to be salt and light to others can only occur with the blessing that has already been given to us.  It is also important to realize that we can only do this when we are in community with one another.  More on that Sunday.
I would invite readers who are not able to attend our service to listen on the web for the live broadcast on www.kbrbradio.com.