There Is a Need to Be Kinda Salty (Salt & Light #1)

Moving on from what are known as the beatitudes, today we encounter the first of a two-part illustration from Christ known as the ‘salt-and-light’ sayings. I have seen the story of being salt and light told in many different forms over the years, and yet I still think we can easily misunderstand what Jesus is trying to convey in using these objects from everyday life to make a point about our faith. Like millions of people, I have been told to monitor my salt intake because there is a consensus in the medical community that too much salt can lead to myriad health issues, including premature death.

In Jesus’ day, however, salt was a staple of life for so many different purposes. Like we do today, salt was used back then for flavoring food. More than today, salt was used also to preserve food. We also understand that salt was used for cleaning and other daily functions in life. What is important for us to remember today is not so much each individual use of salt in Jesus’ time but to recall that salt played a crucial role in their lives. 

With this background in mind, let us hear Jesus’ words as found in Matthew 5:13 - 

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ”

I don’t know about you, but these days I am a little tired. Even after coming off a week in the Arkansas mountains with my wife and children - a great and much-needed week - I am tired because it seems as though we are in a never-ending cycle where it seems normal is merely an illusion. There is so much about life that I miss - most of all, being with you, the people of the church and community. Earlier this week, I was talking with someone about how tempting it is to simply say, “The heck with it,” and just throw caution to the wind and let whatever may happen come to pass.

And, yet, I think it is precisely when we find ourselves mentally, physically, or emotionally exhausted that Jesus’ call to be the salt of the earth is so essential not only to our own faith but to our witness to the world in which we live.

One of the great things to come out of our current situation is the understanding that we must be creative and proactive in ensuring that we continue to nourish our souls when our usually methods and routines are blown up for reasons beyond our control. A few examples of this:

Are we staying in touch with our Sunday school class, bible study, or small group so as to help others grow in their faith and them to help us grow in ours? Knowing that we may not be able to gather at our usual hour in our usual space, are we seeking ways in which we can gather with these who have been so essential to our life and faith, knowing how much God uses these folks to help us get through life?

Are we continuing to find ways to worship with our church family - either in-person or online - even if that means things are unfamiliar with respect to setting and delivery? Do we set aside time to allow God to minister to us in all aspects of our corporate worship, knowing that God uses our time of worship to help us grow in our faithfulness and obedience to God?

Are we being faithful to our personal growth as disciples of Christ through our study of the scriptures, devotion to prayer, and other spiritual disciplines God has provided to nourish our souls throughout the years, even as it seems there are so many other things fighting for our attention and passion these days?

I could go on and on, but I think you are starting to get the point. As we wrap up this first of a two-part series on salt and light, let us simply ask this: If Jesus is serious about us being the salt of the earth, how is it that we are actively engaging in our faith so that we do not, indeed, lose our saltiness?

Grace & Peace,
Lamar