Against the Crowd: Salt & Light

by Pastor Chris Kumpula

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus tells His disciples that they will have a preserving and illuminating influence on the world. Salt speaks to our role as a preservative agent for goodness and preventing moral decay, adding flavor and value to society. Light represents our responsibility and opportunity to reflect the truth and love of Jesus, dispelling darkness and guiding others toward righteousness. Essentially, Christians are called to actively engage with the world, making a positive impact by living lives that reflect God's character and values. This is true for all Christians, especially when it goes against the crowd.

All around us we see a culture that has embraced ethics that follow the crowd. Yes we see it in the culture of our youth and students, but it pervades all of American life. Regardless of our age or generational context, we are all susceptible to the prevailing winds and movements of the herd. As we await Resurrection Sunday, it's fitting to reflect on the mob mentality on a day (Black Saturday) that we remember how this mentality helped put Jesus in the ground.

Mob Rule in the Bible

The Bible includes numerous vivid instances where mob rule bypasses established processes for handling decision making or conflict. “Mob rule” refers to a situation where a group of people, often acting emotionally without authority, exerts control or influence, often through intimidation, coercion, or even violence. Each time, the Bible makes it clear the issue is sin within the individual hearts of those gathered, and that this sin problem is being expressed collectively in rebellion to God. Unwilling to be restrained by God’s Law, and likewise unconstrained by the love of the Gospel, these “mobs” often acted in treacherous or heinous ways.

From the demand for a golden calf in Exodus to the crucifixion of Jesus in Matthew, these accounts show how collective pressure and emotional fervor stoke sin into corporate hatred and violence. We are all tempted to succumb to the pressures of prevailing sentiments, but Christians are called to uphold God’s standards of behavior and demonstrate courageous love and mercy.

Jesus was no pushover. When he confronted the total corruption of the Jerusalem Temple, he cleansed it, throwing the money tables and chasing out godless merchants with a whip (Matthew 21:12-13). When dealing with the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, He spoke truthfully, directly, and unwaveringly, such that they picked up stones to kill Jesus from offense and anger (John 8:12-59). Yet Jesus was the model of how to “be angry yet do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26) Even as Jesus lay dying upon the cross, suffering torture, mockery, and derision, He nonetheless said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Three aspects of "mob rule" can be seen in the Bible:

Mob rule embraces sin and the passions of the flesh.

Fleshly Passions: Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) A large and violent mob within the wicked city surrounded Lot’s house, demanding he turn over the visitors (who are angels) so that they could gang rape them. Our sinful mob mentality enables an ethic of “might makes right” such that we take advantage of a situation to fulfill our dark desires or exact vengeance.

Rebellion and Idolatry: The Golden Calf (Exodus 32) While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people became restless and formed a mob to pressure Aaron into making a golden calf, leading to a major rebellion and act of idolatrous disobedience. Perhaps they thought hiding within a crowd would protect themselves from individual moral culpability for the affair, but it is not so in God’s eyes.

The Glorification of Man: Israel Demands a King (1 Samuel 8) The people of Israel gathered together to demand a more worldly monarchy and king from Samuel, ultimately rejecting the faithful leadership of Samuel and God's leadership through the system of judges. Mob rule usurps the decision making of others and hijacks the mutual consideration necessary for making peace between those who disagree.

Mob rule rejects the authority and call of Jesus to repentance.

Kill the Message/Messenger: Attempt to Throw Jesus Off a Cliff (Luke 4:28–30) After Jesus spoke in the synagogue in Nazareth, the crowd rejected His message and devolved into a mob that tries to kill Him by throwing Him off a cliff. This response of violence and hatred reveals the mark of death within the heart of man, such that we reject the very Light of Life Himself.

Manipulated to Ignore Innocence: The Crowd Chooses Barabbas (Matthew 27:20–26) The incensed mob, intentionally and covertly stirred up by the chief priests, demanded Pilate release Barabbas instead of Jesus, shouting passionately without reason "Crucify him!" While convenient for the enemies of Jesus, the crown became complicit in the horrific execution of the innocent Messiah. People forget how clever men can manipulate the sentiment of crowds to meet personal agendas.

Mob rule resists or resents the message of Jesus's church.

Disposing of the Truth: The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7) A furious mob dragged Stephen out of the city and stones him after he accuses them of resisting the Holy Spirit. Those who heard Stephen’s message and stood in the midst of that stoning either accepted this message unto repentance and faith or resisted it unto hardened and murderous hearts. Thanks be to God that subsequent to these events, God continued to work on Paul’s heart so that he would turn from His self-righteous heart to the heart of Jesus’s mercy!

Enshrining Our Lesser Gods: The Riot in Ephesus (Acts 19) A large mob formed in the theater at Ephesus, angry about Paul’s teachings threatening the worship of Artemis. Having lost the hearts and the money of many who turned to the Christian church, the manufacturers of idols managed to stir up the city. The total chaos that ensued for hours demonstrates how incompatible the worship of God is with the worship of self. People don’t mind Jesus until He limits our available options for ethical behavior and Christ-glorifying living. Men resisted disruption to their personal enrichment, even when purchased on the back of spiritual slavery and darkness. Mobs reign where mirrors are lacking, crowds hate where individuals lack love.

The Way of Salt and Light

Christian love, as outlined in the New Testament epistles, is not merely an emotion but a deliberate act of the renewed will in Christ, rooted in God's own love for humanity. It is a love that goes beyond personal feelings, extending even to enemies, as exemplified by Christ's sacrifice. Our love extends to family, neighbors, strangers, and even enemies. In public and community life, we respect the systems in place, seek the welfare of those in positions of responsibility or authority, and pray for them. (Romans 13:1-7) Our love as a community of Christians should be characterized by patience, kindness, humility, and selflessness. (1 Corinthians 13)

The Bible urges believers to love one another deeply from the heart, to bear with each other in love, and to forgive as Christ forgave. This love is a distinguishing mark of a Christian, demonstrating their transformed nature and obedience to Christ's commands. This love should establish stark contrasts with the tendencies of mob rule that prevail in our culture today. Rather than cowardice or acquiescence, we must stand with courage for truth, mercy, justice, and peace. Whether in our families, in our churches, or in our communities, mutual love and consideration should permeate our actions to the glory and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ.