Agents of salt
Sermon reflection on Annie’s sermon about salt (by Susan)
We are called to be agents of salt. In the New Testament Jesus calls out to us to be the salt of the earth and He also speaks about salt losing its saltiness which is a very dangerous place to be in. So, protecting ourselves from losing the saltiness is pointed out by Jesus Christ (Mt 5:13, Mk 9 49-50, Lk 14 34-35). The reference to salt and its significance can be seen in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Significance of salt in the Old Testament
Salt covenant
- All offerings to be seasoned with salt (Lev 2:13).
- Everything that is set aside from the holy offerings made by the Israelites belonged to the Levites (Num 18:19).
- Kingship of Israel will be given to David and his descendants forever (2 Chr 13:15).
What is a salt covenant?
In biblical times, people used to carry pouches of salt. If they wanted to make a covenant they would exchange salt from their pouches, mix them and shake them well. The covenant could only be broken if the two parties could separate every grain of salt that were not theirs. Hence the covenant was irreversible. The salt covenant is made during marriage signifying a marriage forever. So, the salt covenant made by God with His people is forever. This covenant is ours through Jesus Christ.
Destruction of land with salt
In Deut 29:23 and Judges 9:45, God destroys the land with salt because of the rebellious and evil ways that the people were following. Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt as she was reluctant or regretted leaving Sodom and Gomarrah which made her look back or rebel against God’s command. Luke 17: 32 says that we have to leave everything behind to follow Jesus. It is up to us whether to repond like Lot’s wife or not. Are we reluctant or do we regret leaving everything behind for Jesus Christ?
Salt used as a flavoring agent (Job 6:6), part of acceptable offering (Eze 43: 24), healing agent (2 King 2:21), cleansing agent (Eze 16:4), part of incense (Exo 30: 35), part of temple offering (Ezra 6:9)
The different properties and functions of salt give us an understanding of how a disciple ought to be. We need to carry these properties and be what God wants us to be.
Significance of salt in the New Testament
The New Testament signifies salt as a potent catalyst and a seasoning agent (Matt 5: 13, Mk 9: 49 -5, Col 4:6, Luke 14:34).
As disciples of Christ we need to be a potent catalyst just like salt was used as a catalyst in the fuel to burn faster and better. We need to interact with people and affect our surroundings. Disciples are not called to live a secluded righteous life but we need to get into the community and be the catalyst that God wants us to be. We need to help people to burn for the Lord and light the world. But there is a danger of salt getting evaporated and losing its saltiness. Such salt can only be thrown out. In the process of helping others burn, we should not get evaporated. We should protect our saltiness.
We are in the kingdom of God and have made a permanent covenant with Him. This covenant is irreversible and so we have a responsibility of preserving our saltiness of faith and be agents of salt to the earth. As we affect our surroundings showcasing different properties of salt, let us not be ourselves adultered with the patterns of this world. We are sojourners here and all that we do should be kingdom oriented. Let us be ready to leave everything behind without a second thought and follow Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. We are called to be agents of salt and influence lives. Let us serve our purpose in our generation.