“You are the salt of the earth….” Matthew 5:13
The Lord tells the audience at the Sermon on the Mount that those who live the Godly life, the blessed life of the beatitudes, that they are to be the salt of the earth. As the Lord says the words certain thoughts about the uses of salt that would come into the minds of His listeners.
The first thought of his listeners would probably be their use of
salt in the home. Primarily salt was used for cooking to add flavor
to food. Most people assume salt adds flavor to the food they eat.
What actually happens is flavor of the food is released by the breaking of the cell walls in vegetables, fruits and meats. When this happens, the natural flavor of foods is released. So does the believer bring out the flavor and insight that God intended in the lives of men as they release the truth of God. They show others the joy of living for the Lord and the zest and tastiness that life can bring if God is at the center.
But salt in the diet does much more than that. First we learn that salt is necessary to the body to prevent iodine deficiency. Iodized salt aides the development of iodine on the thyroid which does not produce iodine naturally. The thyroid hormones created assist in the development of the brain (the way a person thinks). So Salt helps people to think and see clearly when otherwise they would be confused and unclear. Christians guide people to seeing the way God sees.
Second salt is critical for hydration of the body. Without proper hydration there is an electrolyte imbalance and the functioning of the body’s organs is affected. Salt provides the desire to intake water, living water, into one’s life. Thus salt is necessary to take on water which is required for a healthy and vibrant life. Christians aid the world in craving living water necessary for life.
Third salt impacts cardiovascular health. Dietary salt affects blood pressure. Salt is necessary to the health of one’s heart. Believers aid the world by creating healthy hearts toward God.
Fourth, diets with low levels of salt can weaken the body’s sensitivity towards insulin. This reduces the body’s ability to metabolize glucose. In this case a person experiences poor levels of energy to the liver, muscles, and nervous system. Feeding on sugars (sweets) without the proper balance of salt can lead to diabetes and a person will not function as they were designed to function.
Fifth, Pregnant mothers require an adequate salt intake to ensure a healthy diet in order to keep their own body and their developing babies healthy. Thus we see that salt is required for young ones to develop properly. Christian parents are salt to their children.
Sixth we know that soaking feet in warm water mixed with salt aids in relieving pain. Salt also alleviates pain in sore throats and
with dental problems. Salt aids others greatly when they are in pain.
Seventh, salt is also good for skin exfoliation because it removes dead skin particles from the skin. Salt is critical to removing the
deadness of the world around us so that we may live healthy Godly lives.
What can we learn? As God’s followers believers are to enhance the beauty of the world around them. As salt we are to uplift, enhance, bring light and glorify God to others. But salt does much more than that. It influences others so they can experience life the way God intended them to enjoy it. It aids in building strong healthy lives that can ward off the diseases and illnesses that attack and kill the human body. Remember this, without salt human life cannot be sustained. Without spiritual salt, eternal life does not exist. Being salt in this world is why the Lord leaves us here.