In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Present carries a torch, which distributes a flavour that enhances the food of the poor and provides good humour to those who are quarrelling. Jesus’ words about salt convey this meaning. Salt was a valuable commodity in his time, as it was used as a preservative in a hot country where there was no refrigeration. It also added flavour. Roman soldiers were often paid in salt. In itself it has no value; it is the effect that it has on food which is important. Christians then should be flavouring the community around them with the gospel message. This means quiet goodness rather than evangelical preaching.
In Jesus’ time light would have been even more precious than it is now, and darkness more threatening. Followers of Christ need to bear witness to him by their daily life. This does not mean to be like the Pharisees who paraded their virtue for everybody to see, but as beacons on hill tops or lighthouses which give warnings of danger.
Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so that everyone will know you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35). Like the beacon on the hill or the lighthouse, this is how Christians should be seen.