I was speaking to a group of Elementary students the other day and we were discussing the purpose of salt. We came up with a lot of them, but did you know that salt has more than 14,000 known uses? And some of us think that it’s only good on French fries.
Imagine over 14,000 uses. The single greatest use of salt is for the production of chemicals. But, salt is also used in processing wood fibers into paper, setting color dye in clothing and in the aluminum making process. It’s used in leather making, formed into salt blocks that help livestock stay nutritionally balanced and is the most effective deicer of highways. Soap makers use it, artists use it, and it is essential in food preserving and a favorite in our house – making homemade ice cream. The list seems endless.
So, when I read in Matthew 5:13 that as we Christians are supposed to be the salt of the earth – it really makes me think how much we have to do.
“You are the salt of the earth. But suppose the salt loses its saltiness. How can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything. It will be thrown out. People will walk all over it.”
If a seasoning has no flavour, it has no value. What is the point of cooking with a seasoning that has no flavour, or salt with no taste? If we as Christians don’t make an effort to affect the world and those around us, we are of little value to God. Instead of blending in with the world, we need to affect others positively, just as a good seasoning brings out the best flavour in food.
The passage in Matthew continues saying, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can’t be hidden. Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do, And they will praise your father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
At times we tend to hide our light by being quiet when we should speak or by going along with the crowd - by letting sin dim our light, not explaining our light to others or by ignoring the needs of others.
Are we sharing God's love and truth with those around us -- at home, at school, and in our neighborhood? If we are living for Christ, we need to shine like a city on a hill, showing others what Christ is like.
So the next time we put salt on your food, or turn on a light switch, I hope it will remind each of us that we also need to be the salt and light of the world.
