“You are the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13).

When Jesus called His followers “salt of the earth,” what did they make of that? What should we make of that? Jesus didn’t explain the symbolism between salt and our lives. So let’s talk about salt, shall we?

We hear “salt of the earth” today to mean we’re hard-working, reliable, down-to-earth folk. Perhaps that derives from salt being an inexpensive, taken-for-granted, dependable staple in virtually every kitchen. But that wasn’t always so. In Biblical times, salt was a highly valued and costly food preservative. Perhaps Jesus’ audience heard Him focusing on their value, how the world is better because of them.

Salt is essential to survival. It serves a vital purpose in the human body in its role as an electrolyte, helping nerves and muscles function correctly and regulating water content in body organs. Perhaps that’s why ancient people had medicinal uses for salt. Was Jesus saying His followers are essential in society? How essential do we, as His followers, find ourselves? We have seen throughout history, and even today, the result of societies banning religion. What if our not being salt around our neighbors and co-workers means their hearts and minds aren’t regulating the truth and wisdom essential to their spiritual well-being? 

Salt is an excellent preservative. For people without refrigeration, salt kept food edible for long periods by preventing spoilage. Still today, we use abundant amounts of salt to cure hams, brine turkeys, pickle vegetables. What is it that Jesus wants us to preserve? Whom should we be covering with “salt” to preserve what Jesus teaches?

When sprinkled lightly, not poured liberally, salt is a flavor-enhancer. Even just a little bit makes a difference. (Next time you make chocolate chip cookies, sprinkle flaky sea salt on the freshly-baked cookies; you’ll thank me later.) To be effective witnesses, we don’t have to have a huge influence. Yes, we could season an entire soup kettle, but even a little Jesus-talk can be influential. Sometimes food needs additional seasoning, so we taste as we cook. We add more Jesus-talk as we assess how a conversation is progressing. Paul says our “conversation should always be full of grace, seasoned with salt” (Col. 4:6).

Of course, too much salt can be destructive. That’s why enemies would salt the land of their adversaries (see a Biblical example in Judges 9:45). Too much salt in a casserole ruins it; too much in our bodies leads to hypertension. We must be careful as witnesses never to be overbearing or pushy.

However it is used, salt only works in proximity; it must come into contact with whatever it needs to affect. Salt in a box on a shelf is useless. And for better or worse, salt in proximity makes people thirsty. The implication is obvious: we cannot hope to make a difference, to season anything, if we never share our faith. Then, as Jesus said, “anyone who thirsts, [can] come to Him and drink” (John 7:37). By the way, we don’t have to be the expensive, fancy salt (e.g., a seminary-trained theologian) to point others to Jesus. Table salt, pink Himalayan, kosher, fine grain or flaky - dressed up in a fancy salt cellar or poured from the round box - they all work. Is anyone getting thirsty because of you?

We are Made on Purpose for a Purpose. Jesus tells us we are the “salt of the earth.” Salt doesn’t strive to be the best salt it can be before it gets to work. It just is salt. Its purpose is built in. It works “not because it does anything spectacular, but because it never forgets what it can do” (poet Naomi S. Nye). As “salt,” we don’t have to fulfill every purpose salt has all the time. We just need to let the Master Chef use us.