The Gospel of the Kingdom - Matthew - The Similitudes - Salt

 

Text: Matthew 5:13-16  – “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

"You are the salt of the earth.” 

You know that Jesus was a Master Teacher; he used illustrations that the people would be able to relate to and be able to understand.

Salt was a very important element in Jesus' day, just as it is today. Do any of you use Salt?

In many societies, it was so highly valued that it was used for money. The English word salary is derived from the Latin word Salarium which refers to the payments made to a Roman soldier with salt. Herod’s temple had a chamber of salt for ceremonial use of salt. Whenever a city was defeated the custom was to throw salt throughout the city. This meant that the city could not be useful anymore.  Elisha used salt to purify the water of Jericho (2 Kings 2:20). The normal procedures when a child was born was to be rubbed with salt (Ez. 16:4)

Salt Makes A Difference.

Salt was gathered in Palestine from along the seashore or inland lakes. It was used in many different ways.

SALT MAKES YOU THIRSTY. You have heard it said that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. Sure you can – just put salt in his oats.

SEASONING. In Bible times and till today salt is used for seasoning our food. Who likes to eat food without salt? Even though salt is so small and yet hardly noticeable it
makes a difference when applied to the substance. In order for our lives to be a living sacrifice for God they must be preserved and seasoned with the righteousness of Christ.

PRESERVATIVE. It was also used to preserve food. They did not have the refrigeration systems that we have today. Salted fish was a staple. We still salt-cure hams and other foods to preserve them without refrigeration.

FRIENDSHIP. Salt was seen as a covenant relationship “It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.” (Numbers 18:19). So salt also represented a relationship. “It represented hospitality that cemented on friendship.” There is an old Arab saying “There is salt between us”

Jesus as He spoke and He preached this message, the people understood the importance of Salt, and also knew it’s uses and how important it was in life.

Our Witness as Christians is even more important! Our Witness, like salt doesn’t always have to be big and bold, but it should always add value, it should bring a quality that people are attracted to.

We should be Salty Christians, their presence lifts us up because we know they will encourage us just being around them.  Do you know Christians like that? Are you one?

Christ Living in you, Reigning in your life will transform you into a salty Christian, one who adds flavor wherever you go.

Recently I was called on because a person had just lost a loved one. What do you say? What do you do?  Sometimes our Witness isn’t in what we say, it’s in just being there, being present. I shared very little, but I let them know I was there, and I told them I would be there in the weeks to follow if they needed to talk about what happened.

It is the influence that you have over other people’s lives to season, and preserve for eternal life.

Christ is saying let your influence season people’s life for the kingdom.

Salt changes things; a little salt can flavor a big pot of beans. 

It only takes a little salt to flavor a whole community, a whole neighborhood, a whole workplace.

Friends, if the salt never gets poured out of the shaker, then it’s no good. Salt that never leaves the shaker is just a decoration on the table. As Christians we are called to season, to influence the people we come in contact with. We need to make it a conscious decision to get involved with the unsaved.

 So, let me ask you, how can you pour yourself out this coming week?

 Is your life making people thirsty for Jesus? 

Is your life a pleasant seasoning in your home, community, work, and church?

Is your life showing people the preservation that comes in a life in Christ?

Is your life declaring your friendship to those you come in contact with?

Jesus said, “You are the Salt of the earth” – ARE YOU?

 Tomorrow, we will see Him talk about the Light of the World.