And you know something? (You got it!) Raymond never amounted to anything. Last I heard, he was in jail. The voice of Raymond’s father was so loud, so overwhelming and buried so deep in Raymond’s psyche that there was no way Raymond could overcome the handicap.

You know a Raymond or two – don’t you? As a matter of fact, there may be a few people here today who have a voice like the voice of Raymond’s father somewhere inside. Maybe it isn’t as strong as the voice Raymond had to contend with, but so many of us have to deal with that inner library of tapes that carry messages like, "You’re not adequate. You don’t measure up. Better let someone else try that." The more significant a person is in our life, the more damaging a negative message from that person can be.

On the other hand, what a powerful difference it makes in our lives when we have been nourished with messages like, "You can do it! You’re talented person – you will succeed!" In other words, if we believe we can’t – we will most likely fail. If we believe we can – chances are greatly improved that we will succeed.

From the earliest days of the civil rights struggle in America, there was a positive, nourishing message that sounded through the whole movement like an anthem. In the darkest of times and in the deepest despair, the refrain would still emerge, "We shall overcome. We shall overcome. We shall overcome – some day. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day." Without this deep seated belief, the gains of the late sixties and early seventies would never have been made.

***

In our scripture reading from the gospel of Matthew today, Jesus has just concluded the beatitudes and then makes an amazing series of statements. He moves from the qualities and character of his followers to who they are to be in the world. They are not going to live in isolation from the world but in relationship with the world.

We are designed for relationships, and one of the very clear messages of Jesus was that the people he was gathering as disciples were gathered only to be sent out again. They would reach out to the world around them with the "Good News" that they had received and experienced with Christ. God designed us for relationships – with God and with the people around us.

Today’s scripture focuses on God’s view of who we are – in terms of who Jesus says we ought to be in our relationship with God, with family and friends, and with our world.

[Speaking of relationships, as pastors… church and religious groups are a big part of our lives. I was reading an article this past week by a pastor who told a story of how he and his wife decided to have the church council and the husbands and wives of the council members over to dinner. It was quite an undertaking, but then this pastor and his wife wanted to be salt and light for the leaders of their church. When it came time for dinner, everyone was seated and the pastor’s wife asked her four year old daughter if she would like to say grace. The girl replied that she didn’t know what to say and the mom said, "Just say what I say honey." Everyone bowed their head and the little girl said, "O dear Lord, why am I having all these people for dinner!"]

***

Jesus was criticized for his relationships. One of the charges against Jesus was that he associated with the wrong people. "He is a friend of sinners," they said. Jesus told his followers, "They call me a glutton and a drunkard." But… Jesus came with a mission and a purpose that become the mission and purpose of all who claim to follow him.

There are two major issues for those of us who would embrace Jesus’ words about becoming salt and light. These issues have to do with our relationship to the groups that make up our lives and the society, or the world around us.

1. There are people in our world who "give shape" and those who "take shape"

* Some people’s lives are shaped by strong inner values and beliefs. They pursue those values and beliefs in their outer world and help to shape that world.

* On the other hand, there are those who take most of their cues from the world around them – from the values and beliefs of peers and the culture… it is the world that shapes them. Paul expressed this in terms of, "Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." [Rom. 12:1]

2. There are people in our world who are "Givers" and those who are "Takers"

* You and I know people who hold a view that goes something like, "life owes me…" I have a step-brother who said to my dad (who happens to be a "day’s work for a day’s pay - depression generation hard working type) "People shouldn’t have to work if they don’t want to… there are plenty of people who like to work." His theory was that the government should provide a living for those who don’t want to work. [He later sued my dad’s estate because he felt that he should have a larger share than the other siblings because he didn’t work.]

JESUS WAS VERY CLEAR about who his followers were to be in this world. His words are, in fact, a statement of God’s view of who we are:

* v.14 "You are the light of the world…"

 What a powerful thing for God to say about who we are! These were astonishing statements to make – especially in Jesus’ day. Salt was so valuable in the ancient world, that the Greeks called it divine. A Latin jingle, "Nil utilius sole et sale." "There is nothing more useful than sun and salt." There were times when Roman soldiers received their wages in salt… In fact the Latin word for salt in the root word of salary.

It is hard for we moderns to understand the amazing value of salt in the ancient world… Except perhaps for those of you who grew up on the farm years ago… What is salt useful for?

* (You’ve heard the phrase to rub salt in wounds.) Salt can be used to purify a wound

* When there is no refrigeration salt is used as a preservative.

Now – in plain English, here’s what Jesus adds to his comments… "If salt isn’t salty, it’s of no use… and … If light doesn’t shine, people can’t see!"

IT IS CLEAR THEN that we are to be "Shapers" of our world and "Givers" to our world by being, "Salty" and "luminous".

I. The Values of Salt:

1. Purification We bring healing to wounded persons.
2. Preservation Our values help shape our groups.
3. Flavor We need to bring the spice of hope, love and joy to our world

II. The Function of light:

1. Vision To help people see who they are in God’s eyes.
2. Direction To offer guidance to searching souls.

3. Reflection To let the character of Christ show through us.

NOW…… here is what occurs to me to be the "thunderbolt" impact of Jesus words in our scripture passage. In the ninth chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus says, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world!" Now, he says to his followers – this includes you -- "You are the light of the world!"

Do you see what Jesus is saying? To YOU? This may take a while to sink in, but this is God’s view of who you are. Hang on. Here it is:

"You are Christ to the World!"

I would almost like to have us simply take a few moments of silence to sit here and reflect on this amazing assertion. But it’s going to take some huge thought and reflection over a period of time. Here are some questions to help you think about this.

Who said, "I am the light of the world?" Easy enough. Jesus said it. So the light of the world is Jesus Christ. So far so good.

Now – who said, "You are the light of the world." Right again! Jesus said it. Who did Jesus say this to? To his followers – to you and me. Here’s the incredible truth about today’s gospel lesson – the extraordinary truth about God’s view of who you are. Follow closely for a moment. In John 9:5, Jesus said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Now that Jesus is no longer in the world, who is now the light of the world? Make it personal and the amazing truth will begin to sink in.

Who is the light of the world?  (If you hear the words of Jesus clearly, it will dawn on you that the answer to the question is:)

I am!

Who is the salt of the earth?

I am!

***

When you and I grasp deep within what God says about who we are, amazing things begin to happen in our life of faith. In some sense faith means listening to God’s view of who I am. St. Paul wrote, "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" [II Cor. 5:17]

Healing for Raymond’s, "You’ll never amount to anything" begins with God’s view of who he is. Jesus collected the most strange group of followers to become his closest associates. There was not a "connected" man or woman in the lot. Yet, God’s view of them is that they are, "The light of the world" and "The salt of the earth."

***

Have you ever really come to terms with God’s view of who you are? No matter what any other voice has ever said to you – this is the only voice that really, truly counts. It is the voice of God saying:

Leader:  Happy are those who fear the LORD,
People: Who greatly delight in the commandments of God.
Leader:  They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
People: They are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Leader:  They have distributed freely,
People: They have given to the poor;
Leader:  Acts of kindness and mercy endure forever,
People: And they bring honor to the name of their God!