The Salt of the Earth

Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

In Jesus’ day salt was both a flavor enhancer and a preservative. Salt was used on food to add flavor to an otherwise bland meal and as a preservative when it was packed onto meat so that it wouldn’t dry out. In both cases what already existed had something else introduced to it in order to improve it. In the life of a sinful person who has fallen short of the glory of God and is headed toward eternity in hell in subjection to God’s wrath, what could improve or enhance better than the saving message of the gospel of Jesus the Christ?

Christians are different, unique, special, and serve a purpose in the same way. We are in the world and while here it’s our joy and duty to bring this message, even if it is irritating like salt in a wound or sweat in someone’s eyes. The Church, the Body of Christ, preserves and spreads the message of the great and glorious God we serve and who has saved us from the just punishment we deserve.

This verse does come with a clause, if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. This should be a somber warning to us. Imitation salt in Jesus’ day was used for one meal and after it lost it’s flavor it was thrown out onto the walking path to keep it clear of vegetation. Whether it be for a day, or for a period of time in our lives such as a year, may we participate with God the Holy Spirit in our sanctification in such a way that we never lose our effectiveness as ambassadors of the true and risen Lord Jesus. Amen.