Wednesday, March 15, 2023

           Salt is found on most tables and in most kitchens.  But did you know that salt can be found in the Bible too?  Of course, Jesus tells His people that we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13).  We are to live in a way that makes other people thirsty for Christ.  And we are to season situations and circumstances with the good news of the gospel and the grace and love that we find in Christ.  Salt stands out in a noticeable way and, so too, should the people of Christ.  Salt was rubbed on newborn children in the Bible (Ezekiel 16:4).  Colossians 4:6 tells us to season our speech and talk much as salt enhances and seasons food.  Leviticus 2:13 told worshippers to season their sacrifices with salt.  We might not think much about salt in association with worship or offerings today.  Probably nobody gives to the Lord in pounds of salt.  But in Bible days, salt was an important part of any offering because this simple seasoning always represented purity, preservation, and a degree of expense.  Every sacrifice that we make or offer to God should be pure, enduring and come with some personal cost.
            Folks in Bible times would often use salt as a preservative, additive and seasoning to their foods.  Surprisingly, salt was often used as a means of payment or currency.  Whereas we might pay for a bill with cash or a card, those living in the days of the Bible would issue and accept payment in salt.  Roman soldiers were often paid in salt with their wages being called a “salarium” since “sal” was the Latin word for salt.  From that word “salarium,” we can see a similarity with our word salary to describe someone’s weekly or monthly income.  Clearly salt was both valuable and useful centuries ago.  Friendship and loyalty between two people was often sealed or marked by the use of salt.  Even today, someone who works hard to earn his pay is complimented and said to be “worth his salt.”
            For Jesus to call His followers to be “salt” was extraordinary.  He was telling us to live a distinct and noticeably different life.  Just as you might notice a five-dollar bill on the ground, Christians are to live and behave so others see or notice Christ.  Our lives are to draw others to Him.  The moon has no light of its own but reflects light from the sun.  We are to reflect the light of Christ, the heart of Christ, the seasoning of Christ.  No matter where you may be, you can always represent Christ and call attention to Christ by the quality of your life.  Paul did this in a prison.  John did it while living on the island of Patmos.  Stephen willingly died as a martyr for the cause of Christ.  The fishermen that Jesus called as His first disciples dropped their nets and left everything to follow Him.  When living for Christ becomes our passion, people begin to take notice. 
            To think daily about being salt helps us to remember that life is not about us.  Rather, life is about Christ and living to bring glory to Him and to offer thanks to Him for the way He publicly gave His life for us.  Season your speech with the words of Christ.  Season your motives with the love of Christ.  Season your actions with the ways of Christ.  Season your relationships with the grace of Christ.  There could be places where God has positioned you to be salt and to season the environment with the good news of the gospel.  Just as salt was valuable in Bible times, a faithful witness is valuable today.  Think of those people who have blessed and encouraged you by their faith in Christ.  You can be the same kind of influence and encouragement today.  Salt is an old mineral that remains important and viable today.  We find it everywhere.  And Christ calls His people to be everywhere—always serving Him and giving glory to Him for others to see.  Have a great Wednesday!  Our worship can always be found at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.