What Does "Salt of the Earth" Truly Mean? (Matthew 5:13)
- 2 days ago
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We are continuing our meditation from yesterday. Jesus told His followers that they were like salt. What did Jesus mean by His words? Here’s the text:
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 (Matthew 5:13).
Understanding Jesus’ Metaphor: Why Salt?
Today, the phrase “salt of the earth” in English signifies a noble quality and fundamental trustworthiness in human nature, especially in certain individuals. It acts as a positive affirmation of character. In Jesus’ time, this metaphor held great importance because salt was essential in everyday life.
Salt has historically been used as a preservative. Before the advent of freezers and refrigerators, salting was the primary method to delay decay. Transporting fish from the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem took two to three days, so salting fish or meat was essential for preservation. Likewise, living a holy life as believers in Christ can help slow the moral decline of the societies they inhabit. Nonetheless, for salt to be truly effective and influence a community—thus preventing cultural breakdown—many grains of salt must work together.
A Living Preservative: Slowing Moral Decay Together
Salt enhances flavor in food. Some foods are so bland that they become more palatable with added salt. I often eat two eggs for breakfast, but I find them tasteless without salt (and a bit of pepper). Almost every recipe includes added salt. The Lord adds flavor to our lives. The first time I encountered a person or group who loved Jesus and lived their salty lives before me, I desired what they had. Salt creates thirst, and what they possessed was what I needed. I had to drink deeply of the Lord Jesus. All around us are thirsty people; they just don’t know what will quench their thirst. If we don’t tell them, they’ll remain thirsty.
Creating a Thirst for Christ: Salt Enhances Spiritual Flavor
When sermons on this Scripture passage are given, they are often separated from the prior context, where Jesus discusses persecution. He explains that following the beatitudes will lead to persecution because of the values we uphold. If we give in to pressure and compromise our faith, we lose our ability to influence others. There are always individuals nearby who secretly wonder if walking with Christ has any value. You never know who might be searching for truth or whom you influence. You are Christ’s representation to the world. If someone is seeking light, peace, and hope, will they see it in you? Will they be drawn to Jesus through your example? I once heard someone say they never heard the Gospel as a child, noting that if Christians were around then, they never "blew their cover!” Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones once said: “The glory of the Gospel is that when the church is absolutely different from the world, she invariably attracts it. It is then that the world is made to listen to her message, though they may hate it at first.”
Don't Lose Your Flavor: The Link Between Values and Influence
Over the past few years, I have organized and led tours of Israel, often taking visitors to a hotel in the Jordan River Valley—the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea. Many guests enjoy a relaxing float in the buoyant, healthful waters of the Dead Sea. They often apply the mineral-rich mud before showering, then indulge in spa and massage treatments at their hotels. The night before heading to the Dead Sea, I advise everyone not to shave because of the water’s high salt content. Ignoring this can make floating uncomfortable, but the waters are known for their healing properties, leaving visitors feeling refreshed and purified after bathing.
The Antiseptic Power of Faith: Healing a Decaying World
Just as the cleansing properties of the Dead Sea water benefit the body, our salty values bring an antiseptic cleansing power to the world. The light and salt of practicing our values before others can heal a decaying society. If those who do not believe in Christ see no difference in our Christian lives, there is no challenge to their worldview. There will be no hope to hold out to them. Therefore, the “saltiness” of our values is thrown away and trodden underfoot (v. 13). The Church, the lifeboat, should be in the sea. However, when the sea gets into the lifeboat, our culture is in trouble.
Application: Putting the "Salty" Life into Practice
1. The "Preservative" Audit:
Ask yourself: In my workplace or family, am I stopping "decay"? This means being the person who doesn't join in on gossip, or who speaks up for the truth when it’s uncomfortable.
Action: Choose one conversation today where you will intentionally remain positive or truthful instead of joining in on negativity.
2. The "Flavor" Check:
Is your walk with God attractive to others? Salt makes people thirsty. If your faith feels like a list of dry rules, people won't want what you have.
Action: Share a small "God-moment" with a friend this week—not a sermon, just a genuine story of how God gave you peace or joy in a mundane moment.
3. The "Uncompromised" Stand:
The text warns about salt being "trampled" if it loses its saltiness. This happens when we blend in too much with the world.
Action: Identify one area where you’ve been "blowing your cover" to fit in. Re-commit to your Christian values in that area, even if it makes you "different."
Prayer: Father, please help us keep the world system’s values from creeping into our lives. Help us be effective preservers of those around us. Amen! Keith Thomas.
Continue Your Journey…
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