Salty

Read

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Think

In Jesus’ day, salt wasn’t something you could just grab from a supermarket shelf—it was precious. Homer called it “divine,” and Plato referred to it as the “substance of the gods.” It was so valuable that Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt, and that’s where we get the word salary. Imagine that! Salt wasn’t just for flavor; it was essential for survival. Without it, your muscles wouldn’t contract, your heart wouldn’t beat, and your food wouldn’t digest. Salt preserved life, it fought off decay, and it was powerful in its simplicity. It wasn’t something you could live without, just like the message of Jesus—life-giving, protective, and absolutely necessary for our souls.

When Jesus tells us we are the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13), he’s not just calling us to add a little flavor to the world—he’s calling us to preserve what’s good, to bring out the best in others, and to be life-givers. But more than that, salt makes you thirsty. Think about it—after eating a salty snack, what’s the first thing you crave? Water. Our lives, as followers of Jesus, are meant to do the same. We’re meant to make others thirst for something deeper, something eternal. Does the way you live make people long for the living water that Jesus offers? Are you creating a thirst for more of God in the hearts of those around you?

But there’s more to salt’s story. Salt is meant to be shared, to be scattered, not to sit on a shelf. It’s effective only when it’s spread out, touching everything it comes into contact with. As believers, we’re called to step out of our comfort zones and engage with the world around us, sharing the love and truth of Jesus with others. Salt prevents decay, and in a world that so often feels like it’s falling apart, we are the ones meant to preserve hope, goodness, and truth. Ask yourself: Am I living in such a way that those around me crave the hope and healing Jesus offers? Or am I staying bottled up, missing the opportunity to bring life to those who need it most?

Apply

Find a way to bring some “flavor” to your interactions—whether it’s encouraging a coworker, helping a neighbor, or even just being more intentional with family or friends. Create the desire for others to want more of what you have.

Pray

Lord, I want to be the salt you’ve called me to be. Help me to see the people around me who need encouragement, kindness, and hope. Give me the courage to step out and share good news throughout my day. Let my life make others thirst for you and use me to bring your light and hope into every interaction. In Jesus’ name. Amen.