“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”
Jesus now gives two metaphors or similitudes (salt and light) that depict those who represent the kingdom. Jesus now turns to the calling and position of His disciples in the world.
5:13
“You are the salt of the earth,
The word “you” is emphatic. Jesus wanted to make it abundantly clear that every believer is a representative of the kingdom. Jesus emphatically declared that His followers are to be (1) salt and (2) light to the world. Believers have a duty to the world.
“Salt” creates thirst when it comes to eating. Its saline quality seasons and makes food tasty.
The phrase “of the earth” refers to the sphere of ministry of Jesus’ disciples.
but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?
When salt loses its ability to enhance flavor, it loses its effectiveness. It is insipid, flat. “Lost its taste” is literally defiled. Pure salt maintains its flavor but, ironically, some followers of Christ lost their saltiness. The only way for pure salt to lose its flavor is to mix it with other chemicals. It still looks like salt but it has lost its saltiness. We lose our testimony in the world if we mix the truth with other elements. God’s truth is always mutually exclusive.
It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Salt that loses its effectiveness is worthless. It can neither preserve nor provide taste. It is a worthless agent of change.
PRINCIPLE:
Christians have a duty to the world.
APPLICATION:
No believer can live in separation from the world. We are not of the world, but we are in it. The purpose of a salty Christian is to make an effect on others. Many individuals and churches have lost their appeal to non-Christians. The church has lost its pungency to the non-Christian world, for God designed them to touch society. Christians cannot live in isolation, cocooned from society. God designed them to reach out and touch.
Am blessed profusely with this piece. More anointing and teaching grace.
“Salt creates thirst” is a different insight altogether. Our lives need to create ‘ spiritual thirst’ in others. It is not about thrusting anything on others but being more responsible how we live our lives. Spiritual thirst in us would help us to be more intimate with God and be thankful to all He is and has provided, especially the finished work of Jesus on the cross, His Spirit and the Word. Once we live our lives emersed in the Word, our lives would change. That should create the thirst in others. Then is the opportunity to lead others to Him who gives life and life in abundance.
Truly blessed by your insight.. God bless!
Am highly impressed,we Christian must show and impact to the world by making them know the power and the grace we carry
This indeed is a blessing. Now I understand we amount to nothing as a Christian unless we sit down to understand the will of God and then follow it through to fulfillment. This is an eye-opener.
Thank you very much.
Fortunatus, I am blessed as well by your statement.
I LIKE THE WAY MATTHEW 5:13 WAS BROKEN DOWN FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND IT MORE CLEARLY, THANK YOU ALL. GOD BE THE GLORY. AMEN.
Thank you Patricia.
i am blessed with the way you have explained mathew 5:14. new thoughts and new direction to my sharing message on this verse. you are the salt of the world. i learnt my responsibility and i will perform as Jesus disciple and will be a thirst creator to the world. thank you so much. David Harsha Kumar Musuru karnataka
Thank you David.
That was so profound and informative, salt only lost taste after being mixed with other chemicals. If salt looses its value its no longer effective, it’s useless it no longer save the purpose.
YOU ARE!! Right there there is a message. His audience is Peter and Judas plus the other disciples. He is not saying you will become or you shall be but he is saying YOU ARE. SO with their weaknesses they still where capable of of salting. Its not about perfection but the small light you have recieved can make an impact as you grow in Christ. Do not wait to be a guru to share Christ but quickly stand up and stand out.
Naison, yes “are” is present tense (present, active, indicative), but it is possible for believers to lose their saltiness, that is, their influence.