The Salt of the Earth

Salt.

It's a preservative.

It seasons and flavors.

Allegorically, it is an agent of change because it influences what it comes in contact with.

And salt is not meant to remain inside the saltshaker. It is only good when it is poured out.

Jesus referes to us (daily disciples) as the "salt of the earth." And just as salt is ineffective while inside the saltshaker, we too are ineffective if we don't get out into the world. We must be poured out. For me, salt helps me to understand the paradox of being "in the world, but not of it." Consider this: salt is poured out upon my T-Bone and mashed potatoes. However, none of the salt crystals become T-Bone or potatoes. The salt dissolves into the food and changes the way it tastes. This is how we understand the allegorical meaning of salt both physically and spiritually.

The other day while in my morning prayer and meditation, I came across an interesting Scripture. It was one of those that I've read before, but it never "clicked" until now...

Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. (Ezra 7:22 KJV)

Notice that all other ingredients given to Ezra for rebuilding the Temple had limitations, except for salt. King Artaxerxes gave Ezra an unlimited supply of salt.

Interesting.

Well, maybe not for you; but it was for me.

Especially when I found out the significance of salt in the Bible. Every sacrifice...that's right, EVERY sacrifice was to be seasoned with salt. It served as way to season the sacrifice as it went up before God.

Now, how does this apply to you and I living in the 21st Century, and not offering burnt sacrifices?

Well, according to the Bible (Romans 12:1-2) we are to be "living sacrifices" giving ourselves daily to God. And our lives should be seasoned with salt. Therefore salt is not just a way to understand how we can be better witnesses in the world, but how we can also be stronger Christians as we serve God in our daily lives. Even our conversations with the un-churched are to be "seasoned with salt."

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. [6] Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:5-6 KJV)

In the Old Testament, there existed a "salt covenant" in which salt was used to ratify a covenant between people and between kings and kingdoms (see Numbers 18:19 & 2 Chronicles 13:5).

Salt.

It is important. It appears to be something small and maybe insignificant. But remember this blog the next time you use salt to season your food. Think about ways that you can become the church instead of just coming to church. Think of ways that you can take church to a lost world. Practice better speech by learning God's Word and how to speak the truth in love.

You see, it all depends on you, and possibly the most important reason you need to be effective as salt is found in the words of Jesus:

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. (Matthew 5:13 KJV)