“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13
“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that that ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 14:34-35
My Summary & Reflection
In Matthew, Jesus compares his followers to the salt of the earth. And in both Matthew and Luke, he goes on to say that if salt has lost its flavor, then it is good for nothing and will be cast out.
As Jesus says in Luke, “salt is good”. It has many uses. It is a natural preservative, meaning that it keeps food from spoiling. This was especially important during Jesus’ time as there was no refrigeration. Salt is also an important flavoring. It adds a savory flavor to food making it more enjoyable. Also, humans actually need some salt in our diets in order to keep our bodies functioning properly. So, when Jesus compares his followers to the salt of the earth, he is saying that, like the many benefits that salt has, his followers too have beneficial attributes.
But what does it mean for a person to lose his or her savor? I believe this parable is similar to the parable of An Unfruitful Tree https://leaveninthemeal.com/2018/12/19/week-22-an-unfruitful-tree/. Salt that has lost its savor is like a fig tree that produces no figs and like a person who is not fulfilling the purpose that God has for him or her. If, as the salt of the earth, we are not preserving what God has told us is important such as love for God and love for our neighbors, then what use are we to Him? If, as the salt of the earth, we are not flavoring the world with good works, kind words, and love then, why are we here?
Your Reflection
- How do you act in a way that keeps you for losing your savor?
- What part does faith or hope play in maintaining your savor?