You Are the Salt of the Earth!
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
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In Chapters 5, 6, & 7 of the gospel of Matthew, we have recorded Jesus’ famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’. This sermon is very different than what we think of as a sermon. Instead of Jesus giving lots of illustrations and commentary on a single point, Jesus simply states a number of truths and moves on to the next one. He begins the sermon with the ‘Beatitudes’. Generally, the Beatitudes are commonly understood to be characteristics that Jesus desires in his followers.
After giving the “Beatitudes”, Jesus makes this declaration: “You are the Salt of the Earth“. This is a challenge, even a command, for anyone that wants to be follower of Jesus. Therefore, if we desire to be followers of Jesus…and ultimately representatives of Him on this earth, we need to understand what it is that Jesus is telling us. Salt serves two primary functions as it pertains to food.
1. Salt is a Preservative
This characteristic is not very well known to those that came after the Baby boomer generation. In the ‘old’ days, folks in the rural areas of the country would cure meat with salt. The process would draw moisture out of the cells of the meat. With the moisture gone, bacteria that causes spoilage is unable to survive and the meat is preserved.
Jesus is therefore calling his followers to act as a preservative for the world. Sin is often described in the Bible as a degenerative, bacteria on the souls of men. But we do not have the power to preserve or save on our own. We can only act as agents on behalf of Jesus to direct those that are willing to partake of the saving and preserving gifts that Jesus has to offer.
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Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
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2. Salt is a Flavor Enhancer
When it comes to savory foods adding salt just makes them taste better! It improves the flavor. As followers of Jesus, we should make life a little bit better for those around us. Christians should be the most joyful people around. We have hope that others do not have. He have blessings that the world cannot imagine. And we have a loving Father that acts as a shield and protector when things go bad. People should see us and see something different in us. They should look at us and want some of our salt.
You are the salt of the Earth! Do we take that role seriously? Do promote Jesus by the way that live our lives? Do we act and behave in such a way that others want what we have? This world needs salt! And we must be the source for which they find it!
Reflecting the SON,
Dennis Hogan
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
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