You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Do not think that I have come to abolish the law; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 

What does it mean to be the salt and light of the world? How does you lose your saltiness? Who would hide their light under a basket? These are the questions Kiri Haugen, Adam Guthmiller, and I ask Luther House of Study's Lars Olson on this week's episode. 

Often on this podcast, we're focusing on the gospel side of the law/gospel distinction, but Lars teaches us the importance of the law, how the law functions on us, and the key difference between Jesus fulfilling the law instead of abolishing the law. 

SING TO THE LORD

Listen to Luther House of Study's newest podcast: Sing to the Lord!

Martin Luther said, "Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world."

To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Lars Olson and I sit down with Zachary Brockhoff each week to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel. We hope you enjoy this new venture! 

Follow or subscribe to Sing to the Lord to hear the weekly episodes. Links to the Sing to the Lord podcast feed are in the show notes. 

🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IjGmMa

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VHikh3

GOSPEL

Matthew 5:13-20

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 

14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 

15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,[c] not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 

19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

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