Salt Of the Earth

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)


Thoughts: What does salt of the earth do?  We cannot live without salt.  It not only preserves and disinfects it gives life.  Hyponatremia is a condition of not enough sodium.  People who have Addison's Disease may have this symptom and it can give rise to the inability to think straight.  Salt is necessary for life.  But it also adds flavor, spice, and interest to life. Things are just tastier with a little salt.
     Jesus was saying to his followers- a very small group at the time- that they were an important part of life.
     But salt that is not salty means nothing. In Jesus' day, salt was mined around the Dead Sea.  Large white rocks were taken to the homes and put in a dry, dark place.  But if those rocks were left outside in the sun where the salt is bleached out, or where the rain can wash out the more soluble salt.  If the white rocks have no salt in them, they really are not useful for anything but maybe paving stones to be tread on.
     Christians, as they have love for God and neighbor have the opportunity to make a difference.  We are called to leave the saltshaker and go out into the world. 

Prayer: Lord, Help me to be salt.  Let me be a good influence for you.