“Belonging is not a psychological luxury, it’s a biological necessity.” —Kelly-Ann Allen, The Psychology of Belonging
“Belonging is a principal need from which all other needs flow. Our connectedness to humanity, nature, and meaning is what animates us to seek food, clothing, shelter, and all the necessities of human survival in the first place.” —Kim Samuel, The Power of Belonging
Matthew 5:13a NIV
You are the salt of the earth.
“You” = ὑμεῖς ἐστε (hymeis este):
- Second person plural (referring to a group, not an individual),
- Present tense (ongoing, right now),
- Indicative mood (a statement of fact),
- Active voice (they are actively being this thing).
The way of Jesus is not about “,” it’s about “.”
“In Illo Uno Unum (In the One, we are one)”—Augustine of Hippo, Commentary on Psalm 127
The Jesus People are…
1. A Community — Distinct, Not Diluted
Matthew 5:13 NIV
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“In the imperishability of salt we have a guarantee of the permanence of the divine community.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Matthew 5:13 NIV
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
2. A Community — Visible Together, Not Hidden Apart
Matthew 5:14 NIV
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
John 8:12 NIV
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
“Preach by your deeds.” —Francis of Assisi, Rule of 1221, Chapter XVII
3. A Community — Pointing Beyond Ourselves to God
Matthew 5:15-16 NIV
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
“The beautiful deeds of the disciples are not merely generic acts of kindness, but rather a way of being in the world described in the Beatitudes and expounded in the rest of the Sermon. This is a Torah-shaped, Kingdom-oriented ethic rooted in Jesus himself.” —Jonathan Pennington, The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing
Our good deeds aren’t about virtue , they’re about Kingdom .
How do the Jesus people shine?
- When our mercy unsettles comfort.
- When our peacemaking enters into and works through the mess.
- When our purity of heart makes room for honesty.
- When our forgiveness rebuilds what’s been broken.
- When our generosity opens hands, homes, and hearts.
- When our compassion stays while others walk away.
“These deeds are done in public, not to glorify the disciples but so that others will see them and glorify God. They are social, observable, communal acts of righteousness. This is not about personal piety in private but about public goodness that witnesses to the Kingdom.” —Scot McKnight, Sermon on the Mount: Restoring Christ’s Message to the Modern Church
Matthew 5:16b NIV
… that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Acts 5:12-14 NIV
All the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.