THE SALT OF THE EARTH
Leviticus 2:13
And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season
with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to
be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer
salt.
Matt. 5:13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour
(become tasteless), wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for
nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
When talking about salt, we are referring here to cooking salt - chloride of
sodium (chem.); which is obtained from sea-water by evaporation or rock-salt
which comes from mines.
Cooking salt is used in every kitchen throughout the whole world. There is probably
not one single kitchen in the whole world whereby, there is absolutely no salt
to be found there. Although there are so many wonderful spices and fine herbs
which add flavour to meals, salt is something that you cannot do without; and
even if only a mere pinch of it is used, it is necessary, for our body craves
for salt.
Jesus
said to his disciples, “You are the salt of the earth.” Thereafter,
he continued by saying, “But if the salt becomes tasteless, it is good
for nothing, except to be thrown out on to the street.” Why did Jesus
not say that you are like fragrant herbs or fine spices? After all, is it not
true that Christianity is a wonderful thing, and that the fragrance of life
is better than death? There is a reason for this when you know what salt is
good for.
Herbs and spices can only be used in special dishes, but not in every dish because
they will lose their distinct flavour. Whereas, salt maintains its own particular
flavour and can clearly be tasted.
Meat tastes even more savoury- more “meaty”, the roast tastes better,
and fish tastes even more like fish. Salt is a unique thing upon this earth
and there is no replacement for it. Even if you put just a little bit of salt
in the food that is to be eaten, it makes a great difference to the taste of
it for the better. If salt is missing in the food, then the words most likely
to be heard are: “Waiter, would you please bring me some salt.”
In many restaurants, it is normal to find salt cellars on the tables. If Jesus
compares his disciples who believe in him with the salt of the earth, then he
is completely right in doing so; considering that Christianity is the “spiritual”
salt of the earth - for the words of Jesus Christ are truth and life. In His
teachings, there is wisdom, truth, holiness, and divine love to be found therein.
In the same way that salt is included in food, so is it essential that a Christian
has this “salt” in his daily life. Paul says in Col. 4:6, “Let
your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye
ought to answer every man.” In this case, it is not referring to salt
which is to add flavour to food, but is referring to the doctrine and spirit
of Christ.
Already during the time of the priesthood in the Old Testament, which is a shadow
of the things to take place in the future, it was a requirement of the law to
include “salt” in all the meat offerings. It is important that kindness,
thankfulness, and showing love to those who are around you are always demonstrated
in your life!
This earth is not only contaminated with environmental pollution, but also with
the pollution of human hearts. The salt has already disappeared; instead of
honesty there is deception, instead of respect there is envy and jealously,
instead of love there is coldness.
The greed for money, fame, riches, and the temporary things are viewed as being
the most important thing in life. Our country, people and nation will be lost
and not saved because they do not consider the “salt” to be important.
They are not looking upwards, they are not looking to God with their hearts,
but rather they are holding on tightly to traditions, which are keeping them
in bondage. Workers are being oppressed by their bosses, they are exploited,
threatened and mocked. They are afraid of losing their jobs - never have things
been so bad in this country. There are many people whose salt has already lost
its flavour; and they are no longer worth anything in the eyes of God and will
end up in judgement. “You are the salt of the earth”. Who truly
wants to be a Christian will not be able to make it without Jesus and His anointing
in their life. Jesus lived it before us, and it was not easy for Him. They faced
Him with envy in their hearts, and they blasphemed when they did not like His
Word, they were full of jealously, and tempted Him and made accusations against
Him.
Jesus desires that we follow Him in a sincere way, even when it means that we
have to make sacrifices. He paid the price to save us – giving everything.
He is offering you salt. rw
