Posted on 03/25/2022 2:46:43 PM PDT by metmom
“‘You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men’” (Matthew 5:13).
Salt has always been valuable in human society, often much more so than it is today. But the particular characteristics of salt that Jesus was referring to in this passage have resulted in various suggestions.
Some interpreters point out that salt is white and therefore represents purity. As the “pure in heart” (v. 8), Jesus’ disciples are to be pure before the world and are to be God’s means of helping purify the rest of the world.
Others emphasize the characteristic of flavor. Just as many foods are tasteless without salt, the world is drab and tasteless without the presence of Christians.
Because salt stings when placed on a wound, some interpreters believe Jesus meant to illustrate that Christians are to sting the world, prick its conscience, and thus make it uncomfortable in the presence of God’s gospel.
Salt also creates thirst. So others believe God intends for His people to live before the world in such a way that others will be made aware of their spiritual dehydration.
While all of these interpretations are reasonable, it’s likely Jesus was primarily referring to salt as a preservative. Christians are a preserving influence in the world; they retard moral and spiritual spoilage. As God’s children and as temples of His Holy Spirit, we represent God’s presence in the earth. We are the salt that prevents the entire earth from degenerating even faster than it already is.
Ask Yourself
In what ways are you and your church personifying the various properties of salt, whether by words, actions, or outreaches? Think very specifically. Which of these examples are proving to be the most effective at this, and why?
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Believe it or not, salt is also the first line of defense in fish-keeping. I have a single 7” common gold fish in a 75 gallon tank and he’s having flotation issues at the moment, along with some type of fungus. One of the first remedies for that is to add 1 tablespoon of salt per 3 gallons of water. It’s amazing! Rather than reaching for one of my myriad fish medications, I can simply medicate him naturally, which I prefer. So far he’s shown improvement. I definitely think salt is underrated these days.
I have heard that some places are going to salt water pools as salt water disinfects almost as well or as well as chlorine with virtually none of the problems with it.
Years ago, my family and I swam in a salt water indoor pool.
It was the clearest water I have ever swam in.
What Jesus is speaking about here is that he is establishing a New Covenant with his people.
In ancient times salt signified a completion of a promise. Salt represented a binding agreement between two parties.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_of_salt
This passage in Matthew 5 confirms that we are now a part of that complete New Covenant. We are the salt that sealed the deal.
That’s neat.
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