Salt is good, but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? Luke 14:34
The parallel passage in Mark 9:50 tells us to have salt in ourselves. So, salt – whatever it is referring to in Scripture – must be a good thing. Remember how in the Old Testament offerings, the Israelites were instructed to include salt in them all (Leviticus 2:13). So let’s learn some lessons from salt today.
One thing that Canadians are familiar with regarding salt is its use to thaw ice. Highway crews spread it on the roads in winter. When I was a boy, we used salt in our ice cream maker to produce the cold slush needed for the process. As Christians, we ought to allow the salt of the Word of God to penetrate our cold hard hearts to soften them. Only by having softened hearts of compassion and care can we take an interest in helping others and in sharing the glorious Gospel message.
Salt that is mined in the Maritimes comes in large chunks. But that is not the form that we use to season our food. No, if the salt is to be useful, it must be ground into small granules that can pass through the holes in a salt shaker. This lesson tells us that as the salt that God would have us to be, we must become small in ourselves. If we are big chunks of pride, we are useless. If we are small, we can be easily used by God to serve His purposes.
Some things don’t taste good without salt; Job reminds us that the white of an egg is one of these (Job 6:6). If we place a salt shaker beside a plate of eggs, do the eggs become any more pleasant to eat? Of course not, we have to shake the salt onto the eggs. In the same way, we need to come into contact with those we seek to reach with the Gospel. Only by letting people see our testimony and our concern for their souls will they be convinced to heed the Gospel message. The Lord Jesus didn’t tell us to hire missionaries to go spread the Gospel, No, He said, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature’ (Mark 16:15). Like salt, we need to make direct contact.
When it comes to using salt, there is a balance that is required. If we eat too much salt, it can affect our fluid retention and blood pressure. If we get too little, we go into a potentially deadly shock. Just as we need wisdom in the use of salt, so we need wisdom in the way we present the Gospel. Just as it would ruin a bowl of soup to dump an entire shaker of salt into it, so it would be an embarrassment to the Gospel to start preaching it in the middle of a medical clinic. Spiritual discernment is an important part of being the salt of the world.
When I would step on a nail as a youngster, I would soak my foot in a basin of hot water with plenty of salt in it. Although it would sting sharply, the salt would help to cleanse and heal the puncture wound. This healing property of salt is an important lesson for us. Sometimes the truth of the Word of God will sting as it addresses the problem of sin. But it will bring about healing if we apply it directly to our wounds.
These are only a few lessons regarding salt and the Christian. Can you think of some more? – Jim MacIntosh