Day Eleven
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
I imagine that many of those there listening to Jesus were amazed by what he has just said. He had caught their imaginations that they would be blessed. He then then gives some wise statements describing who they are.
He first talks about salt. Salt is very common in our times, but in the Roman Empire the most common way was to get sea salt. Roman Soldiers were often paid their weight in salt. Salt cost in our money about $11.00 a pound. The average height of a Roman soldier was 5’5”, and probably weigh about 140 pounds. That average soldier received in pay for the year his weight in salt. This would be approximately worth today: $1540. He could take that salt and sell it in the markets.
Salt was used not only to flavor foods in ancient times but also to preserve food to keep it from going stale or rotting. The people listening to Jesus understand the value of salt. Jesus is telling them that they are valuable. They also know that a little bit of salt can go a long way.
Jesus then says, “but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again?” How can salt lose its flavor? It is salt after all. Too much can ruin a stew. Putting a raw potato can draw salt into the potato, but how can it lose its flavor? First it can return to its original form which is salty sea water. It is no longer useful to flavor food. It cannot flavor food. The second way is that it can have an outside chemical reaction that will change what the salt is. The third way is that it becomes contaminated with a substance that could harm instead of help. The fourth way is that it is not stored correctly. And lastly, because of age it will diminish its saltiness.
Returning to the way it was before when it was not salt, it is not easy being a Christian especially those who had different lifestyles. They may see their friends having fun like they used to have, and would it hurt to go back into that old life style just once. Except that just once can turn into going back into that lifestyle over and over until they are no longer a practicing Christian. They can no longer be the salt in the world.
Allowing outside influences will change who we are. We think nothing wrong of listening to how others think about Christians. Maybe over time they begin to let a word here and an idea take hold, and they are no longer the salt in the world.
Allowing petty fights, anger and jealousy take hold will make the love of Jesus seem bitter. Judgment of others instead of kindness, makes the love of Jesus seem false and not for them. It is no longer the love that the world needs to experience.
Sometimes we lock things away to keep them safe, the problem is when we keep the Joy of the Lord locked away, all that the others see is sadness and pain.
Sometimes we think letting our faith age will make it stronger better, but if it is not used, it will grow weak. Not allowing our faith be tested and tried to make us stronger in our faith will make it weak.
The people listening understand what Jesus is saying about salt. They know it will be worth nothing. Jesus is telling them that they are like salt, and if they do not walk close to the Lord, their faith will be lost.
He then tells them what they know, “That salt is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” He wants the to know they are valuable but also to know that they can lose their value as witnesses of the faith if they do not practice it.
What Jesus is saying to me is that I must be active in my faith. It cannot be something that I put aside six days a week, and go sing songs, listen to a sermon that makes me feel good on Sunday, and forget about it the rest of the week. I have been that, Christian. I know how easy it is to let things slide. I know how easy it is to look for what I believe in outside of Christianity… in causes, in projects, and in people. Jesus wants us to share all of our days, good and bad. He wants to walk with us.
Today’s Question:
What is your temptation that pulls you away from Jesus?
Ever in God’s Love,
Mary Elizabeth Todd
November 22, 2024
Ruhamah United Methodist Church Bible Verses 