October 16, 2023
Joe Brockinton ’74
Retired
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if that salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot.
Jesus told his listeners that they were the salt of the earth. In their culture, salt was used to preserve meat and keep it from rotting. I feel certain that discerning listeners understood that as followers of Jesus, they were to preserve the culture from becoming rotten and useless. We are called to that same task as we encounter a culture that is increasingly hostile to our faith as followers of Jesus. Paul urges us to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2a). When we live lives of integrity, we impact our culture for righteousness.
Salt has other characteristics. When I eat something salty, I become thirsty and want to drink something to quench that thirst. If I have popcorn or pretzels, I want to have a Coca-cola to bring balance to my palate. In the same way, our “salty” lives should create a thirst in others. The way we live and love should demonstrate to others that our lives are different and hopefully, create a thirst in others to know why we are different. Peter exhorts believers to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have . . . with gentleness and respect” (I Peter 3:15).
Salt adds flavor to our meals. Occasionally I take a bite of food and I think, “that needs salt.” Food that is bland can be greatly enhanced by adding a bit of salt to enrich the flavor. In the same way, as Jesus followers, our lives should bring flavor to every situation in the form of love, joy, hope, encouragement and contentment.
So how is your saltiness? Are you preserving culture, creating thirst and bringing flavor to your world?