Devotion – How do you look from a distance?

Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Salt has its purposes. Light has it uses. We could list them. Both need to be present in the right measure. When used positively, both enhance the world we live in.

This is my translation of the passage today:

You are the seasoning of the world. Bring out God-pleasing flavours in all you encounter, all you do. Don’t overuse them or you’ll spoil the effect. You are the light (as I am the light). Don’t hide this light, no matter what sort it is, no matter how strong or weak. For you, it is the perfect time to shine into the lives of those you encounter. The Law? What do you think of it? Does it need to be kept religiously? Would you rather do away with it, or ignore it? Neither of these is my way. I perfect the Law and fulfil the Prophets. You can join me – by being the seasoning you are, by sharing the light you have and thus be righteous, living in me as I live in you. Then you don’t need to worry about Pharisaical stuff, but can concentrate on what is important.

If I’ve managed to get the gist of what Jesus is saying, it is this: I have fulfilled the law. When you live in me: being salt or seasoning, providing light, you too fulfil the Law, you live as righteous people, practising grace and forgiveness. Living out mercy, justice and acceptance. We all do this differently.

It is only through grace and forgiveness that I can possibly be salt and light in the world. Only through the love of Jesus, can I work out which seasoning to be and how much of it to use; it’s only through the love of Jesus that I can work out which light I am and where and how to make it shine.

Then, even though it is a constant struggle, our righteousness will exceed that of the Pharisees; then we can know and live God’s love and encourage others to know and live in God’s love. Then we’ll bring out the God-flavours and the God-colours of this world.

Gift Giver, help me to bring God-pleasing flavours and colours to the world. Amen.

Prayer Points

We pray that the Prep students would settle into school life smoothly and have an enjoyable first year at school

We give thanks that God has blessed the school with wonderful, dedicated staff who care for our students so well

We pray for the Barker, Bui and Romero families

Micah Award

Reinhart for showing, compassion to his classmates