Today’s scripture: Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Mark Shoup):
Salt is the great flavor enhancer; it doesn’t just make things salty. If used properly, it will make all existing flavors in a dish stand out more. Did you know that there is usually salt added to most recipes, including desserts and sweet foods? It’s for that reason — to make them taste better, and to bring out all the flavors. This effect is noticeable even at levels below the threshold where you can taste the salt itself.
I think this is what Jesus was getting at in this part of the Sermon on the Mount. Followers of Christ are like the salt in a recipe. They serve to make something that is just OK much better.
Think of how much better society works (or would work) when a significant part of its population is more concerned about the welfare of others instead of just worrying about themselves! Instead of saying “you are the salt of the earth”, think of it as “you are the enhancement (or improvement) of the earth.” When people seek to pattern their lives after Jesus, society and humanity are improved.
Now, about salt loosing it’s saltiness. It is actually impossible for pure salt to ever “loose” its saltiness. Instead, for salt to become less “salty” would require it to become diluted by something else, perhaps dirt or dust. This actually makes a lot of sense in the context of what Jesus said.
Imagine you, a devout follower of Christ, are salt, metaphorically speaking. Over time, you start letting outside influences begin taking over your life — work, money, and the latest fashions and electronic gadgets. In effect, because you are now focusing more on these other things, you have diluted the Christ-centered part of your life. Let this go on too long, and the Christ part of your life is systematically diminished and pushed out of your life. In effect, your “salt” has lost its saltiness, and is now worth nothing!
More to the point, Christ in us is “the light of the world”, and if we truly have Christ in our heart, it can not be hidden. Our “light” (or Christ in us) gives hope to others who are in “darkness” or who are seeking. We can actually be a beacon to those in despair, like a lost traveler seeing the lights of a city off in the distance. But if we are not open to helping those in need, we are shutting off that hope like putting a bowl over a candle.
And what good is a burning candle if no one can see it?
Thought for the day: Am I adding enough saltiness to my world? Am I letting my light shine?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.