Salt of the Earth - Reflections on Matthew 5:13
"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 5:13
Introduction
Abraham, the great patriarch of faith, provides a poignant illustration of what it means to be the "salt of the earth." The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were about to be destroyed due to their wickedness, yet Abraham interceded for them. He pleaded with God, asking if the cities would be spared for the sake of fifty righteous people, then forty-five, thirty, twenty, and finally ten. Abraham's intercession did not save the cities, but it demonstrated his role as a preservative force against decay and a conduit for God's mercy.
Being called the "salt of the earth" echoes Abraham's role as an intercessor. Just as salt enhances flavor, preserves food, and heals wounds, so are we called to enhance the world with God's love, preserve His truth, and bring healing in His name. This metaphor is an invitation to live our lives with a purpose that goes beyond ourselves, impacting the world around us for God's glory.
Historical and Literary Context
The Gospel of Matthew, believed to be written by Matthew, a tax collector turned disciple of Jesus, was primarily aimed at a Jewish audience. It was likely penned between 70-110 AD, a period marked by Roman rule over Israel. The Jewish people lived under oppressive Roman domination, yearning for deliverance and the arrival of the Messiah, a political and spiritual liberator.
Matthew 5 is part of the larger Sermon on the Mount, a comprehensive discourse in which Jesus outlines the fundamental principles and values of the Kingdom of Heaven. Here, Jesus presents a radical reinterpretation of the Law and Prophets, offering a new understanding of what it means to live in obedience to God's will.
In this historical and cultural context, we find Matthew 5:13, where Jesus proclaims His followers as the "salt of the earth." This metaphor had profound implications in the first-century world.
In first-century Palestine, salt was not just a common household item but held significant practical, economic, and symbolic value. It was primarily used as a preservative and a seasoning. Without modern refrigeration, salt was crucial to prevent food spoilage and decay. As a seasoning, it enhanced the flavor of food, making it more enjoyable.
Furthermore, salt had economic value. It was so important that it was often used as a form of currency. Roman soldiers, for instance, were sometimes paid in salt, which is where we get the phrase "worth his salt."
Symbolically, salt was associated with purity due to its color and its ability to preserve food from corruption. The sacrificial offerings in the Temple were required to be offered with salt, signifying the everlasting covenant between God and His people (Leviticus 2:13).
When Jesus designates His followers as the "salt of the earth," He is implying a call to action. Just as salt was essential in preserving food, enhancing flavor, and signifying purity, so are His followers to be in the world - preserving the faith, enhancing the goodness, and living pure lives. This metaphor of being "salt" was not just about personal righteousness; it was a call to influence the society in which they lived, reflecting the values of the Kingdom of Heaven in a world desperately in need of preservation and flavor.
Meaning of Matthew 5:13
Matthew 5:13 is a dense verse, rich in metaphor and meaning. To unpack its implications fully, let's break it down into its constituent parts.
"You are the salt of the earth."
Jesus makes an assertion about the identity and role of His followers. The phrase "You are" is declarative and leaves no room for doubt. It's not a suggestion or a possibility, but a fact.
The term "salt" here is a metaphor, an image drawn from everyday life in first-century Palestine. As we've noted earlier, salt served many essential functions: it preserved food, enhanced flavor, and symbolized purity and value.
The "earth" here can be seen as referring to the world and society at large. So, to be the "salt of the earth" means to act as a preserving force against moral decay, to enhance the world with the love and grace of God, and to live pure and valuable lives that reflect God's character.
"But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"
Jesus introduces a hypothetical situation. In its natural state, pure salt cannot lose its saltiness. However, the salt used in the ancient world often contained impurities, which could lead to a loss of its flavor.
This serves as a warning to His followers. Just as salt can lose its effectiveness due to contamination, so can believers lose their impact if they allow their faith to be diluted by worldly influences.
"It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
Jesus concludes with a stark portrayal of the fate of salt that has lost its flavor—it's deemed worthless and is discarded. This metaphorical statement drives home the seriousness of the believer's call to maintain their spiritual integrity. If we lose our distinctiveness, our Christ-likeness, we risk losing our ability to influence the world for God.
Taken together, these phrases present a potent image of the believer's role in the world. As the "salt of the earth," we are called to be agents of preservation, flavor, and purity. Yet, we must guard against losing our "saltiness," our distinctiveness as followers of Christ, lest we become ineffective in our mission.
Application
Living out our calling as the "salt of the earth" can take many forms. Here are three specific applications for our lives today:
Preserving Truth and Morality
In a world where moral relativism often blurs the line between right and wrong, we can be the "salt" by upholding and living out God's standards of truth, justice, and morality. This might mean standing up for the rights of the marginalized, speaking out against injustices, or demonstrating integrity in our workplaces even when others do not. Our commitment to God's truth should permeate every aspect of our lives, serving as a preserving influence in our society.
Enhancing Lives Through Love and Service
Just as salt enhances the flavor of food, we can "add flavor" to the lives of those around us through acts of love, kindness, and service. This could be as simple as offering a word of encouragement to a discouraged coworker, volunteering our time to serve those in need, or being a supportive friend. By living out Jesus' command to love our neighbors as ourselves, we can bring out the best in others and make the love of God more tangible in our communities.
Living Pure Lives
Being "salt" also means living lives of purity and holiness. In a world often marked by corruption and sin, we are called to live differently—to be set apart. This can involve making choices that honor God in areas such as our relationships, our entertainment choices, and how we use our resources. By striving to live in obedience to God, we demonstrate a different, better way of life and invite others to experience it too.
Remember, being "salt" doesn't mean we are perfect—far from it. Instead, it means we are continually turning to Jesus, allowing His grace to transform us and His love to flow through us to a world in need.
Conclusion
Our mission is not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to offer a different flavor—a flavor characterized by love, justice, mercy, and truth. Just as Abraham interceded for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, we too are called to intercede for our world, to be a force of preservation and a conduit for God's mercy.
To be the salt of the earth is to embrace our identity and purpose in Christ. It is to live in such a way that our words and actions point others to Him. And as we do, we not only enrich our own lives, but we also bring out the God-flavors in the world around us. This is the high and noble calling of being the salt of the earth.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for calling me to be the salt of the earth. I am humbled by this commission and the trust you place in me to represent Your kingdom here on earth.
Help me to be a preserving force in a world that often strays from Your truths. Grant me the courage to stand firm in my convictions, to uphold Your standards of justice, and to always speak the truth in love.
Lord, just as salt enhances flavor, enable me to enhance the lives of those around me through acts of love and kindness. May my actions reflect Your love and grace, bringing comfort and hope to those who need it most.
Father, guide me to live a life of purity, set apart for You. When I am tempted to conform to the world, remind me of my call to be different, to be 'salty.' Help me to live in such a way that my life points others to You.
And Lord, when I falter or lose my way, when my 'saltiness' seems to fade, draw me back to You. Renew my spirit and rekindle my passion for Your ways.
May I never forget that I am the salt of the earth, called to influence the world for Your glory. Help me to live out this calling every day of my life.
In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.
