VotD - Matthew 5:13

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said, "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." This verse is part of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches His disciples about living a righteous life and being a light to the world.

When Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth," He referred to the disciples' role in the world. Salt was a valuable commodity in the ancient world, used as a seasoning for food and as a preservative to keep food from spoiling. Salt was also used as a symbol of purity and covenant, as it was included in offerings to God in the Old Testament.

Similarly, Jesus calls His disciples to be a preserving influence in the world, to keep it from becoming corrupted by sin and darkness. As Christians, we are called to live righteous and holy lives, to be a witness to the world of God's grace and truth. We are also called to share the gospel and bring others into the kingdom of God, preserving their souls from the corruption of sin.

However, Jesus also warns that if the salt loses its saltiness, it is no longer good for anything. This may seem like a strange statement, as salt is a mineral and cannot literally lose its saltiness. However, in the ancient world, salt could become contaminated with impurities that would dilute its effectiveness as a preservative or seasoning.

In the same way, as Christians, we can lose our effectiveness as a preserving influence in the world if we become contaminated by the impurities of sin and compromise. If we do not live out our faith with integrity and purity, our witness to the world will be weakened, and we will lose our ability to influence others for Christ.

Therefore, Jesus' words in Matthew 5:13 call us believers to live lives that are pure, righteous, and full of integrity. We are called to be a preserving influence in the world, sharing the gospel and living out our faith in an attractive and compelling way to those around us. And if we do so, we will be effective in our mission to make disciples and bring the kingdom of God to the world.