THE SALT OF THE EARTH
Matthew 5: 1-13
Every household is familiar with salt. It is found in every home because it is used in virtually every form of cooking. Salt is a mineral comprised primarily of sodium chloride. It is essential for life in general. Salt is one of the oldest and most ubiquitous food seasoning while salting is an important method of food preservation.
Jesus told his disciples: “Ye are the salt of the earth”. This is a strong metaphor. We will look at some characteristics and uses of salt for us to get an understanding of what is expected of us as salt of the earth. Firstly, we have said that salt is used for seasoning. Without salt, the food is tasteless. As believers you are to “season” your world. Your environment must be sweet because you are there. If salt is absent, it is felt immediately. Are you a factor in your location? If you are not there, will they miss you? If they do, what would you be missed for? You are the salt in that family, work or market place. Go and make impact.
Secondly, salt is a preservative agent. Before refrigeration, the ancients used salt to preserve their meat and prevent them from decay. In the same vein, you are to preserve Christian values, doctrines and principles in this decaying world. The society must come to the church to learn standards. We should not be carried away with the corruption of values and standards that currently ravage the world.
Thirdly, salt is also used as purification agent especially in potable water production. Remember Elisha? When he was told in 2 kings 2:19-22 that the water of the city was bad, he said: “Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. . . And he went forth into the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters. . . so the waters were healed”.
Chlorine that is used in water purification is a major component of salt. So it does not matter how bad a situation or society is, just one Christian can bring about a turn around. You are the salt of the earth. Be the change agent in your environment.
Finally, salt is a soluble substance. It dissolves in your water and seasons your food; yet it remains unchanged and can be retrieved whole if you want to: its texture, taste and character are not affected by the substance it comes into contact with. In the same vein, you, as a believer can interact with the world. Impact the society, but never allow the world to negate your Christian virtues. Don’t get corrupted by the world. Just like the salt can’t be corrupted, you also should stand tall as an oasis of righteousness in a decaying world.
MEDITATION: Mathew 5:13
