“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” (Matthew 5:18).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes his followers as the salt of the earth. What does he mean by this? How are we the salt of the earth?
Salt is arguably one of the most impactful minerals in the world to humans and animals. We need it to survive. Salt helps the body maintain a balance of fluids and keeps muscles and nerves running properly. A lack of salt in our diet can quickly lead to shock, coma, and eventually, death.
Besides the need, let’s be real, salt tastes amazing. It can immediately turn a bland meal into something delicious.
In ancient times, salt was used primarily for two reasons: preserving, and just as today, flavoring food.
So what makes salt, salty? Salt is salty if it does what salt does. Either preserve, or enhance flavor. If salt could not do those things, it would be useless, just any other mineral. This line of thinking is reiterated with what Jesus says next.
These verses are immediately followed by a similar phrase, that we are the light of the world.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16-17).
So, what does light do? It gives light to everyone in the house. Jesus insists that we do not hide our light, putting it under a bowl, but show it off, giving our light to others. Do what light does.
So, very simply, as we are the light, we should do as light does, “doing good deeds,” therefore glorifying our Father in heaven.
For some reason, the metaphor about light feels a bit easier to understand than salt. However, due to placement within the text and reading within context, I believe it is quite simple and means the exact same thing. You are salt, therefore do as salt does, be salty. Don’t hide your saltiness. Therefore, people will taste your good deeds and your Father in heaven will be glorified.
In other words, don’t hide away within your walk with the Lord. You were made with a purpose. You were made to impact the world.
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17).
Jesus came that we may have life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10). So be salty. Preserve the good. Bring flavor to the dull and bland. Show the world how much better life is with Jesus.
Thank you for reading. For further study, check out How is the Eye the Lamp of the Body?
