Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:13
There are many different types of salts because of its
chemical structure. Remember this from Chemistry class? Take a metal and bond
it with a non-metal usually the product from a neutralization of an acid and a
base. NaCl, MgSo4 are the
most common. NaCl being table salt that was just mentioned above and Magnesium
Sulfate which is known as Epsom salt. I think I just heard a couple of “ahhhhhs”.
Fun Fact: MgSO4 can also be used as an additive in fertilizer.
Salt has been used throughout history as a preservative and
a spice. Some early civilizations even used it as currency. Today it is used
mainly in flavoring of foods such as yummy French fries and brining a pork butt
before slow-cooking. (Hungry yet?) You can even add salt to the water before you
drop the pasta. Its importance in the diet comes true when you look at its
chemical properties. It is essential in maintaining the electrolyte balance in
our bodies. Without it we would not have the electrical impulse that makes our
body move, metabolize, and think. Salt
is even used in non-foodie applications. It is poured on the roads to lower the
freezing point of water. Some people have found salt to soften water and add it
pools instead of Chorine.
Jesus mentioned that we “are the salt of the earth.” And “if
the salt could lose its taste, how can it be made salty?” Is it possible for
salt to lose its “saltiness”? According to some, yes. The only way that salt
loses its flavor is by dilution in water. The more water the less salt would be
noticeable or effective. The common use for salt during this time was to preserve
food for later use. So when Jesus was calling us to be the salt of the earth,
He was calling on us to preserve the truth of the Gospel. If we were to lose
our “saltiness” by diluting the Gospel with the world’s wisdom and ideologies we
are considered “worthless” and should be “thrown out”.
How do you treat the Gospel? Do you modify it so that the
other person isn’t offended? Take a moment today and meditate on how we are
being salt to others. Are we preserving God’s word and adding flavor? Or, are
we diluted so much that others can’t tell if we are true followers of Christ.
Tomorrow will be the continuation of Jesus’ thought; being
light to the world. Matthew 5:14-16
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