Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13

Matthew shared how Jesus was “baptized” and “tempted” by the “devil”, and he shared how “angels” ministered to Him afterward. Jesus heard that John the Baptist was thrown into prison, and He left His hometown to dwell in “Capernaum” where He began His ministry. Jesus began to preach saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be His followers. As Jesus' fame spread throughout Galilee many other people were gathered unto Him. Matthew added, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him, and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”, and in chapter five and verse thirteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus said, “you are the salt of the earth” where we read:

You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is therefore good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

The verse reads, “You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?” Matthew began with the words, “you are the salt” which means “the disciples of Jesus are the symbol of lasting concord because it protects food from putrefaction and preserves it unchanged” “of the earth” which means “pertaining to the arable land, country, territory and region”: “but” or “moreover and” “if the salt” which means “whether the symbol of lasting concord because it protects food from putrefaction and preserves it unchanged” “has lost his savor” which means “becomes flat and tasteless without strength and flavor”; “wherewith” or “in what way and by what means” “shall it be salted” which means “will the earth be protected and preserved”? Jesus declared His disciples to be the “protecting and preserving” influence within the “earth”, and He questioned how the “earth” would be “protected and preserved” if the “salt” was “flavorless”.

The verse goes on to say, “ it is therefore good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew added the words, “is it therefore good” which means “the salt is still, yet and even now strong, powerful and robust” “for nothing“ or “towards not one thing and no one”, “but” which means “whether and forasmuch”, “to be cast out” or “to be let go, thrown away and scattered without care about the results”, “and to be trodden under foot ” which means “to be trampled, treated with rudeness and insult as well as spurned with insulting neglect” “of men” or “by and among people whether male or female”. Jesus determined “flavorless” “salt” to be worthless and to be thrown into the streets where people would walk over it.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see the importance of “savor filled salt” in our world. “Salt” was used as a preservative for meats because there was no refrigeration in those days, and it also gave “flavor” to the foods which people consumed. Jesus told His disciples they were the “salt” of the earth which meant they add “flavor” and “preservation” to their surroundings. Without “salt”, meat would putrefy and rot, and without “Kingdom of Heaven” influence, the earth decays as well. God desires a relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and those who put their faith and trust in Him shall be a “flavoring” and “preserving” influence to the environment in which they live. Lest any who follow Jesus have lost their “savor”, let these words be the inspiration to go before God and ask Him to be filled with His Spirit so no one is cast into the streets to be walked upon by disregarding people.

Next time Jesus tells His disciples, “you are the light of the world”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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