Pulpit & P
ew
You are salt
The fifth chapter of Matthew is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The chapter begins describing the setting; “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain” (Matthew 5:1 NRSV) and his disciples sat around him. The setting was a bluff overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
It was a perfect setting - pleasing, beautiful, peaceful. As you read this, imagine you are there, sitting at the feet of Jesus and that He is talking to you.
He tells you that…” you are the salt of the earth) (Matthew 5:13a NRSV). He is not saying you might be, you can become, your neighbor is, but that YOU, are the salt of the earth. It is a tremendous compliment.
Salt was very valuable in the ancient world. It was used as money. It was used as a preservative, keeping meat from spoiling, and was used to purify and heal wounds. It also adds flavor to food.
He offers a precaution, though. We are now salt - valuable and useful, but we can lose all those qualities. I think of the loss in terms of salt water. Most of us know that warm salt water is soothing to a sore throat; however, if there is too much water and not enough salt, the solution is weakened and doesn’t help much.
Maybe we have something to offer that would help someone heal emotionally, feeling better about themselves. Perhaps we can decide to take steps to heal wounded relationships with others. There may be opportunities to help others to purify relationships, move into forgiveness of others. Others may need no-strings-attached financial assistance. Maybe we can add flavor to lives that are suffering from chronic illness or loss of a loved one.
When we describe people as salt of the earth, we mean such folks are giving, honest, even content with an ordinary life. Jesus says we are salt now. We don’t have to be a big deal in the eyes of the world.
Jesus also says to us…”you are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14a NRSV) Imagine, we are already equipped to offer love and hospitality to others and to light the way to the Savior. Unfortunately, we can cover our light, like throwing a basket over it.
In traditional churches, we enter the season of Lent this week. Lent is a time of self-examination. What does it mean to live the Christian life? Among other things, it means to be salt and light in the world around us.
— Rev. Dr Stan Basler, Galesburg UMC
