Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 5:13–16

Pregnant with my second child, I craved salt. Salt bagels. Salt pretzels. Salt on my thin crust pizza. Salt straight out of the shaker. I even put salt on my salt. Doctors will tell you to avoid high sodium consumption during pregnancy, but as far as I can tell, everything turned out fine. I gave birth to a healthy baby, who has grown into a vibrant, creative, and passionate young woman. Anyone who knows my daughter will tell you: the girl’s got flavor. Must have been all that prenatal seasoning.

Speaking of seasoning: 

You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? (Matthew 5:13)

These are Jesus’s words to His disciples, and I wonder why, out of all the seasonings on the shelf, He chose to call His disciples something so ordinary as salt. Had He said, “You are the Ballerina Farm French salt of the earth,” well, now, that would be an entirely different story. Have you seen the Ballerina Farm French salts? Wild garlic, vanilla bourbon, blueberry petal, and lemon zest. They are rather exotic and costly. I would like to be that salt. But Jesus did not call us the vanilla bourbon salt of the earth, did He? No. He calls us far greater. 

We are the salt of the earth.

If we had lived in ancient Israelite times, we would have understood the deeper meaning of salt. Used to enhance the flavor of food, salt was also a sign of purity, used as currency, and a symbol of covenant, as we read in the Old Testament (see Leviticus 2:13). Far from ordinary, salt was a hot commodity, as it served as a preservative for keeping food from decaying. Salt did more than balance the flavor of your margarita. It was essential for life.

This reading is a timely lesson for me because I fear I’ve lost my saltiness. Not entirely—I am on the upswing, God be praised. But I am emerging, ever so gently, from a season that has felt, well, seasonless. There seemed to be one thing after the next, challenging my faith and testing my strength. Over time, praise turned into complaint. Prayer gave way to distraction. And worship was a wash. The temptation to believe the lie that my measly contribution to God’s kingdom wasn’t needed was starting to sound true. Also a lie—that it was measly.

If you’re not careful, life has a way of beating the flavor out of you. 

The trouble with losing our flavor is that everything around us starts to go bad. And I think that’s the point Jesus was trying to make. Both for His disciples back then, and for us, today. We are called to build up the body of Christ by preserving the world from destruction, not adding to it. True disciples of Jesus not only guard and protect their personal faith but also the faith of those around them. And because salt is not ordinary, but precious and valuable, we must treat everyone in a way that reflects their worth. And if we don’t—when we don’t—we are not living up to our call; we are not true disciples of Jesus.

If you are in a season that lacks seasoning, here are three things you can do to restore your saltiness:

1. Get into God’s Word daily. You cannot preserve the world unless your mind is thoroughly marinated in Scripture. Open your Bible every day and read it. Then go and do what Jesus says.
2. Actively serve. My spiritual passion often aligns with my focus. When I’m focused on myself, my spirit grows bland. When I focus on others, my “saltiness” gets replenished. It helps when I remember that salt doesn’t exist for itself—it exists to enhance others. So stop staring at yourself and go and salt someone!
3. Hang out with salty people. I’m not suggesting you find a group of rugged sailors. (Unless of course, you want to.)  I’m talking about finding yourself a small group of people whose hearts are firm and steadfast, who are gracious and merciful—friends who want to live salty lives.

Ballerina Farm might have cornered the market on overpriced minerals, but you, my friend, are far more valuable, and dare I say, worth your salt. 

It’s time we season this world.

Food for thought or journaling …

Have you lost your saltiness? What is one thing you can do today to restore your flavor?

Jesus, help me to preserve and protect this world by being a disciple who enhances and brings flavor to everyone around me. When I feel like I am losing my saltiness, remind me to seek You in Your Word, to reach out to others in need, and to surround myself with true disciples on the path of holiness. On the days I am tempted to believe the lie that I am useless, remind me of my value and how precious I am. Amen.

P.S. If you are looking for tools to help get you into Scripture or opportunities to serve and/or participate in small groups, visit our website. We’ve got your salt!