March 27, 2019
Matthew 5:13a, “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again?”
Salt is a common item almost every household in the world has on a shelf. While researching salt and the verse for today, I discovered a wonderful website called “Salt Works” I have provided the link under references below. Here’s a sampling of the page, “As far back as 6050 BC, salt has been an important and integral part of the world’s history, as it has been interwoven into countless civilizations. Used as a part of Egyptian religious offerings and valuable trade between the Phoenicians and their Mediterranean empire, salt and history have been inextricably intertwined for millennia, with great importance placed on salt by many different cultures. Even today, the history of salt touches our daily lives. The word “salary” was derived from the word “salt.” Salt was highly valued and its production was legally restricted in ancient times, so it was historically used as a method of trade and currency. The word “salad” also originated from “salt,” and began with the early Romans salting their leafy greens and vegetables. Undeniably, the history of salt is both broad and unique, leaving its indelible mark in cultures across the globe.”
Author, Juan Huertas offers us a story about uses salt while cooking. He and his sister were preparing spaghetti for dinner, at different times during the cooking experience they both added salt to the dish knowing it was an important seasoning. Unfortunately, since they both added salt the final product ended up being too salty and being kids thought perhaps adding sugar could remedy the problem. You guessed it, it only added sweetness to the already too salty mix. Their mother suggested that only by adding more meat to the already salty dish could have helped it to be less salty. Salt is a wonderful addition to many dishes as it heightens the fullness of its flavor. But too much can ruin the entire dish.
Moderation works best in most things.
As I was reading an article on https://www.christianity.com I discovered that there are differing opinions on Matthew 5:13, on the subject of salt:
• Some think that its whiteness represents the purity of the justified believer.
• Some say that salt’s flavoring properties imply that Christians are to add divine flavor to the world.
• Some believe that Christians are to sting the world with rebuke and judgment the way salt stings an open wound.
• Some assert that, as salt, Christians are to create a thirst for Christ.
However, the author of this article suggests that it stops decay, and that when Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth”, He meant that all of His disciples were to serve as preservatives, stopping the moral decay in our sin infected world.
Salt was used during Jesus’ time as a way of preserving fish, they would pack fish with salt to keep it from rotting or spoiling, it would be kept safe to use when needed. The article states, “The spiritual health and strength of the Christian is to counteract the corruption that is in the world. Christians, as salt, are to inhibit sin’s power to destroy lives. This in turn creates opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed and received.We have been given a wonderful privilege to be the salt of the earth, but Jesus gave us a warning. The second half of Matthew 5:13 states: “But if salt loses its taste, how would its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men”. Jesus did not say that we can lose our salvation; He said that we can lose our saltiness. When salt is contaminated it becomes corrosive and poisonous. Contaminated salt cannot even be used for fertilizer on the field, so it has to be thrown on the road. If we have allowed disobedience, carelessness and indifference to rule our lives, we have become contaminated salt and have lost our saltiness. We need to confess our sin and let the Lord restore us to the purpose for which we were called.”
There’s a lot of information available on the subject of salt and lots of opinions and views on Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13, I have read several articles today and I don’t disagree with any, and I believe Jesus is telling us to share the gospel with the world, our specific neighborhoods, where we live, work and play. We can season/add salt to the lives around us through our actions and our words, sometimes with a “pinch” of salt and other times with a “heaping” or “rounded” helping handful of salt. As Christians, we need to listen and be led by the Holy Spirit when witnessing to others and be careful not to season too heavily with “salt” being mindful of who we are representing. We are disciples! 
Friends, I hope you are able to glean exactly what you need from this post especially given the large amount of information I shared. I’m a blessed and excited to be on this Lenten journey with you. Your support and prayers are felt and deeply appreciated. Thank you, blessings and peace be with you today and always~
Breath Prayer: Way-making Lord,…remove my distractions.
~Peace~
References:
https://www.seasalt.com/history-of-salt
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Matt.5.13-Matt.5.16
https://www.christianity.com/bible/christian-you-are-salt-and-light-11596480.html
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