Earlier this month we considered Jesus’ words, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again.” (Mt 5:13) I suggested that Jesus used salt as an image of influence. Salt is very influential stuff.
To be honest, I am a little cynical when it comes to talk of changing the world. Young people talk about being ready to go out and change the world and some of us think that is just the idealism of youth and it won’t happen. And yet, what did Jesus really intend? When He called us the salt of the earth, what did He expect us to do? How influential could we be? Is Jesus expecting us to change the world?
In the Bible there is a book called The Acts of the Apostles. It tells the story of the first followers of Jesus and the influence they had. In chapter 17, Paul and some of his companions came to Thessalonica. They taught about Jesus and many people were converted. Let’s READ vv.5-9.
In v.6 the mob says, “These men... have caused trouble all over the world.” In a different translation it says “these men have turned the world upside down.” Now causing trouble doesn’t seem to be the type of influence we should have. But remember these were the words of their enemies. What sort of trouble had they caused? Healing people. Freeing people from demonic possession. Freeing people from false belief systems and false religions by introducing them to Jesus. People didn’t agree with what they were doing but they couldn’t deny the extent of their influence. “The whole world!” they complained.
In another book of the Bible, John, which is an eyewitness account of Jesus’ life, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Look at the response. READ JOHN 12:17-19.
Again, Jesus’ enemies were fearful that the whole world would turn and follow Him – that He would influence the whole world.
Do you think the people of Gore would say about us that we are impacting the whole world? Whether they saw that as a good or bad thing, would they say that we are having that sort of influence? Would they even say that we are impacting all of Gore? Is the salt still salty?
Again, how influential does Jesus intend us to be? Are we to change the world?
His last words to His disciples were, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Think what that means. Jesus’ intention is that every nation be Christian. In similar vein, Luke records Jesus saying, “repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in [My] name to all nations.” (Lk 19:47)
When Jesus used the images of light, salt and yeast, He was talking about influence – about making a difference. We are to be world-changers.
Few of us are going to be influential on an international level. Or are we? Last year some of us went to the Willow Creek Leadership Summit in Dunedin. I want to show you one of the presentations we watched. I think you might find it quite inspiring. I think you will like this. Jessica Jackley refers to “the power of the small loan”. As you watch, think also about the power of the ordinary individual to make a difference. Think about the power of ordinary people working together. Few individuals working alone can change the world but we are part of a huge worldwide team. What is your part? What is Jesus asking you to do to change the world?
I am not sure yet but I am considering the possibility that we take a lot more time this year thinking about influence. Here’s a question that I would like to you think about after having seen this video and through this week. This is your homework: What does it take to change the world?
Leave a comment here. What does it take to change the world?
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