Jesus completed the beatitudes, but His sermon continued. His words of wisdom flow across the pages of scripture through chapter 8 of Matthew. He gives us bits and pieces o2225f knowledge that have astounded scholars for centuries.
Our promises and conditions seem to be completed, and now Jesus talks to His disciples about who they are and what they need to do to serve Him and the Father.
In verse 13 of chapter 5 Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (NKJV).
According to the New International Bible Dictionary, salt is used mainly for seasoning, and it is a preservative. It is a necessity of life.
Job talks about salt in Job 6:6 when he says, “Can flavorless food be eaten without salt?” He asked this question, not actually expecting an answer, but more of a question with an obvious answer.
The Jews used salt in many of their offerings. In Leviticus 2:13 they were told to use salt in their grain offering. In Ezekiel 43:24 they used it in burnt offerings. In Exodus 30:35 they offered it in incense. In Ezra 6:9, it was a part of the temple worship.
Salt served other purposes in the Bible. It was used to ratify covenants, Numbers 18:10 and II Chronicles 13:5. It was rubbed on newborns, Ezekiel 16:4. It was used in war. In Judges 9, we read about Abimelech’s destruction of Shechem. After he destroyed the city, he “sowed it with salt”, which would have made the land barren.
The Romans used salt as an important trade item, and they used it for money. They even gave their soldiers part of their salary in salt.
We can see from the references mentioned that salt was valuable. It was in all parts of their lives: business, family life, worship, and even war.
So how does this value we see in salt help us understand what Jesus is trying to tell His disciples. He is simply telling them that they will be the “preservative”, the saving element, that which would keep the world from corruption.
Once the disciples knew Jesus’ mission and had the Holy Spirit to guide them, they preached Jesus crucified, the establishment of the church, and hope for all that heaven could be attained by obedience to God.
If they had failed, corruption would have taken over. When corruption occurs, there is nothing to do but throw it out. That’s what Jesus told the disciples. If they did not do their job, provide the salt, corruption would occur. He said, “It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by me.” Not everyone did become obedient, but many did. Those that did obey also became the salt of the earth.
The same is true of us today. If we are obedient to the gospel, we have that same promise of a home in heaven. There is nothing greater or more important that being the salt of the earth for Jesus.
Sandra Oliver
When I was much younger, I found a book called *BELOW THE SALT* in our school library, but I never got to read it because it was recycled from the library to make room for newer books. I did manage to read the introduction or some promotional piece, which gave a few facts to look for as the reader proceeded through the pages. It said (among other things) that salt was used as salary in olden days and that people were seated at a banquet table according to rank. If one were seated “below the salt” he was dishonored or at least considered to be of lesser rank. It still might be a good topic for further research. Scripture is full.