You are the salt of the earth

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” - Matthew 5v13

Salt is probably the one mineral which has had the greatest impact on the history of the world. Wars have been fought and empires lost over salt. Economies have risen and collapsed over salt.

Salt has an important history for two reasons – 1) Its preserving power, and 2) its flavour enhancing capacities. Jesus used salt here to describe His followers as the “salt of the earth.” He mentions how that salt that has lost it flavour is only good to be thrown on the roads and paths to be walked on. Salt does not go off. Jesus is talking about common salt that is not pure, but mixed with other minerals and chemicals. This kind of salt is worthless – the only use for it is to clear ice or kill vegetation along the road. A good picture for us in road grit used in the winter the treat icy roads – we would never use this on our tables!

This is a perfect picture of one aspect of our ministry here on earth. We are to be the pure salt of the earth – undefiled by sin. When our saltiness is mixed with sin we are no better than road grit, we have no flavour and no preserving power. May God make us the pure salt in the world and may we flavour the world with His word.