Sodium Chloride of the Earth

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

James pulled out his chair and sat down, a smile playing on the corners of his mouth. He waited patiently as his dad offered a prayer of thanks and the food was passed around. Then James spoke up. “Please pass the sodium chloride,” he said as seriously as he could manage.

“Pass what?” Dad laughed. “I know what you’re talking about, but why did you use that term?”

James laughed too. “We had a lesson on salt today, and I thought I’d ask for it by another name.”

“If you were trying to impress us,” said Mom, “you did. At least I’m impressed.”

“Salt’s important,” James informed them. “It’s used for lots of things.”

“Well, I know it’s important in cooking,” said Mom. “Salt is used to flavor food and also to keep it from spoiling.”

“Did you know that sodium chloride is mentioned in the Bible?” asked Dad.

“Yeah, Dad, but not by that name,” said James. “It’s just called plain old salt.”

Dad chuckled. “I’m sure you know the verse that says Christians are the salt of the earth. They help flavor things that happen in our world. Unless…” He stopped and looked at James. “Do you know what would keep them from doing that?”

“Uh…I think the verse says they can lose their flavor, right?” James asked.

Dad nodded. “Any ideas how that might happen?”

“How Christians can lose their saltiness?” James shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

“Well, think of it this way,” said Mom. “What does it mean when it says Christians flavor the earth?”

“Well…I guess we do that by helping people and being kind and loving,” said James. “And by telling them about Jesus.”

“Right,” said Mom. “When we share the love, grace, and truth of Jesus, we bring flavor to a bland world. We give people a taste of the salvation and hope He offers them.”

“So, I guess we’d lose our saltiness if we stopped doing those things and only thought of ourselves, right?” asked James.

Dad nodded. “As the sodium chloride of the earth, we need to flavor people’s lives with the love of Jesus.” He sprinkled some salt on his potatoes and took a bite. “Mmm,” he said. “Now that’s good!” (Richard S. Maffeo)

How About You?

Are you sharing the flavor of God’s love with the world? Is it evident in the way you treat others? Do your actions show that you follow Jesus? Do you tell others about Him so they can know Him too? Jesus didn’t say you could be like salt if you wanted to be. He said you are the salt of the earth. Make sure your life reflects His love so others can know how good He is.

Today’s Key Verse:
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Be a salty Christian