Our Vision

 As Christians, it is important to read the Bible and to understand the different signs and symbols we find in scripture. Doing so will help us gain a better understanding of how we should live according to God’s words. In Matthew 5:13 we read that, “You are the salt of the earth,” but what does salt of the earth mean, and how does salt and light relate to our lives? 

 Leviticus 2:13- “Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God will not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.”

Numbers 18: 19- “All the offerings of the holy gifts, which the sons of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and your daughters with you, as a permanent allotment. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the Lord to you and your descendants with you.”

2 Chronicles 13:5- “Do you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?”

Matthew 5:13- “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.”

Mark 9:50- “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes un-salty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Luke 14:34-35- “Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?  It is useless either for the soil or the manure pile, so it is thrown out. The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Colossians 4:6- “Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” 

 As we read in Leviticus 2:13, Numbers 18: 19, and 2 Chronicles 13:5, salt is referred to as a covenant. Salt is used as a preservative, and that means that it plays an instrumental role in making things last longer. So, when we see, “covenant of salt,” it is saying that the covenant is never changing and never to be broken. It metaphorically signifies permanence, loyalty, fidelity, value, usefulness. Have you ever heard the term, “worth his weight in salt?” Salarium was the monthly allowance given to Roman soldiers. “Sal” is the Latin word for salt, and the French term is “salaire.” This will eventually become the English word “salary.” The amount of money paid to the Roman soldier was so they could purchase an expensive, but essential commodity, salt.  

 Earlier it was said that salt is used as a preservative. Salt keeps the freshness of foods, and without the invention of refrigeration, salt was used to help make food stay fresh longer. Fruits and vegetables are pickled to prevent perishing. Salt sustains life. And if salt also signifies an unchangeable or unbreakable covenant, then salt represents Jesus Christ. It is the sacrifice that Jesus made that sustains and preserves us, and we know that it is an unbreakable promise he has made with us. 

 Salt added to food does what? It breaks down the cell walls in meats, fruits, and vegetables, which in turn releases the natural flavor of the foods we eat. Salt enhances the flavor, so in Matthew 5:13 when we read, “You are the salt of the earth,” then it is our responsibility to enhance the world around us. We need to shine our light and reach out to all of those around us. Our neighborhoods, in gatherings with friends, places of work, and the strangers passing by. We glorify our father by being good salt on this earth. 

 In Luke 14:34-35 we see that if salt becomes tasteless, then it is useless for the soil and the manure pile. When we focus on the function of preserving, we ask how does that apply to soil and manure? When properly spread, salt will preserve the properties of the manure that are useful in fertilization. Salt helps keep the manure from rotting and prevents fermentation that would render the manure useless for fertilization. In Luke 14, we need to be quality salt that can be added to manure to help in fertilization. We need to fertilize and help those around us to grow spiritually. 

 Salt was historically hard to come by. It wasn’t a simple process like going to the store to buy a container of salt to add to your grain offering like the people were told to do in Leviticus. Salt was expensive, and it was a highly valued mineral. Salt was a symbol of a covenant between God and his people, and in the gift of salt we see the value that God asks of us in return for his unbreakable promise.  

 We are told to be the salt of the earth, but how do we accomplish this? Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” If we are to be good salt, then we are to preach the unbreakable promise passed down to us from our heavenly father through His Son. We need to help preserve the relationships with our brothers and sisters. We need to help fertilize the soil so others can come to know and grow in God’s love with us. Jesus wants us to be the salt of the earth and go out and do good works, but we also need to remember that he tells us never to hide our deeds. We need to be doing good work so we can hold them up to the light for all to see. If we understand these things and work towards building an unbreakable bond with our Father, just as he has with us, then we will be able to create a community of salt light.