Matthew 5:13 NIV says, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
In ancient times salt was a valuable commodity. The seasoning was raised to an almost holy status. Salt was sometimes placed in a coffin with the deceased to signify the purity of his soul. At one time it was even given to strangers to express good will and enduring friendship.
Of course, we are all aware of myths which have surrounded salt. For example, spilling salt is bad luck; to avoid the terrible things which could happen, we counteract it by throwing a pinch of salt over the left shoulder with the right hand. I guess lefties such as me were just doomed to accept the bad luck.
Salt is a very common and ordinary element in our lives. How common is it? Look at the globe: 72% of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans. Sea water contains 23 grams of salt per 1,000 grams of water. That’s a lot.
Let’s look at what salt is used for and how this applies to us.
Salt is used to season.
It enhances the flavor of our food. As Christians, followers of Christ, we are supposed to add zest, spice and vigor to life.
Colossians 4:6 (NIV) “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” What we say and how we say it matters. We are to season our conversation with “Praise the Lord” or “God bless you.”
Rather than expressing surprise or giving credit elsewhere when good things come our way. Like saying, “Wow, how did that happen?” Or, “Man, I really got lucky this time.” Those expressions are especially misspoken when we have prayed about a certain situation or need. When we have prayed and see an answer to our prayers, our reaction should be “Praise the Lord”, or “Thank you, Lord.”
Our talk should be encouraging. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV tells us, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
2. Salt is used to heal.
You have heard it said, “Rub salt into a wound.” Now, putting salt into a wound does speed up the healing process but, the pain associated with putting salt into a wound is not desirable. In ancient times salt was used on wounds for healing. It may have good results, but, for me, let’s try something else. Salt absorbs fluids and causes the wound to dry out. This causes the body to heal the wound quicker.
In a spiritual sense, we are to help to heal spiritual wounds. Mark 2:17 NIV says, “Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’"
3. Salt is used to preserve
In today’s world a box of salt is not very expensive. In the New Testament world salt was expensive, unless you lived along the Dead Sea.
The word salary is derived from the word salt. Sometimes people were paid with salt. When you hear someone say, “He is not worth his salt it means that he is not worth his pay.
In those days, salt was used to preserve meat. There were no freezers or refrigerators.
As Christ Followers we are to be preserving the morals of the world, making a difference.
4. Salt creates thirst
What makes us thirsty? Hard work will do it. Eating certain foods will do it. Try eating potato chips without something wet to quench the thirst they produce.
Christians should make non-Christians thirsty for a better life, for Christ, for having what the Christian has.
Jesus said it best (as He always does), “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice; "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
And, in Revelation 21:6 NIV) He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
5. Salt is used to melt cold or frozen objects
During cold Indiana winters we distribute salt on roads and walkways.
Acts 2:37 NIV) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Being “cut to the heart” can mean that the great powerful message of Acts chapter 2 can melt the heart of stone, as is written in Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV) - )” I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
----- Gary K Fair
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