“You are Light” Youth and Scout Sunday
Matthew 5:13–20
Jesus tells his followers, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” These words from Matthew Chapter 5 are not abstract ideals; they are a calling to live visibly, faithfully, and courageously in the world God loves.
Salt preserves and brings out flavor. Light reveals what is true and guides the way forward. In both images, Jesus assumes action. Salt does nothing if it stays in the shaker. Light is meaningless if it is hidden. Faith, too, is meant to be lived, practiced, and shared.
On this Youth and Scout Sunday, these images feel especially fitting. Our young people and Scouts are learning—sometimes imperfectly, often courageously—what it means to live with integrity, service, and purpose. The Scout Law and Oath echo Jesus’ words: trustworthy, helpful, kind, and reverent. These are not simply rules to memorize; they are ways of living that let God’s light shine through everyday actions.
Jesus goes on to say that he has not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Faith is not about checking boxes or proving righteousness. It is about lives shaped by love of God and neighbor. When any of us, whether young or old, chooses compassion over cruelty, honesty over convenience, or service over self-interest, we then embody a righteousness that “exceeds” expectations—not because we are perfect, but because we are learning to follow Jesus.
Today, we give thanks for the youth of our church, for the Scouts, and for the adults who mentor them. They all remind us that faith is active, visible, and meant for the good of the world. May we all—young and old—continue to be the salt that brings healing and the light that points the way to God’s grace.
Pastor Todd