Being the Salt of the Earth
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the 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 underfoot." - Matthew 5:13
Have you ever sat in an airport lounge, watching as airline attendants generously hand out free snacks to travelers? It's a scene we're all familiar with – the hospitality, the satisfaction on people's faces as they munch on pretzels and mixed nuts. But have you ever stopped to wonder why they give away those snacks for free?
I had a similar experience not long ago, pondering this very question. As I observed, I struck up a conversation with a janitor, curious about the reasoning behind this seemingly generous act. His answer surprised me.
"It's simple," he said. "The snacks are full of salt. When people eat them, they get thirsty, and thirsty people buy drinks. The cost of the snacks is nothing compared to what they make selling sodas."
This encounter got me thinking. Could it be that this practice mirrors what Jesus meant when He called us the salt of the earth? Just as those snacks create thirst, are we meant to create a spiritual thirst in those around us?
Jesus's "I Am" sayings in the Gospel of John provide valuable insight into His identity and purpose. He is the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the True Vine. Each saying reveals a facet of who He is and why He came.
Reflecting on these sayings, I realized the importance of understanding who we are in Christ. Just as Jesus revealed His identity, we must discover our identity in Him. What does God's Word say about who we are and what we're called to do in the world?
As followers of Christ, we are called to be salt – to create a thirst for the living water found in Jesus Christ. Our presence should leave others longing for something more, something deeper. Let's embrace our role as salt, spreading the flavor of Christ's love wherever we go.
Have you ever sat in an airport lounge, watching as airline attendants generously hand out free snacks to travelers? It's a scene we're all familiar with – the hospitality, the satisfaction on people's faces as they munch on pretzels and mixed nuts. But have you ever stopped to wonder why they give away those snacks for free?
I had a similar experience not long ago, pondering this very question. As I observed, I struck up a conversation with a janitor, curious about the reasoning behind this seemingly generous act. His answer surprised me.
"It's simple," he said. "The snacks are full of salt. When people eat them, they get thirsty, and thirsty people buy drinks. The cost of the snacks is nothing compared to what they make selling sodas."
This encounter got me thinking. Could it be that this practice mirrors what Jesus meant when He called us the salt of the earth? Just as those snacks create thirst, are we meant to create a spiritual thirst in those around us?
Jesus's "I Am" sayings in the Gospel of John provide valuable insight into His identity and purpose. He is the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the True Vine. Each saying reveals a facet of who He is and why He came.
Reflecting on these sayings, I realized the importance of understanding who we are in Christ. Just as Jesus revealed His identity, we must discover our identity in Him. What does God's Word say about who we are and what we're called to do in the world?
As followers of Christ, we are called to be salt – to create a thirst for the living water found in Jesus Christ. Our presence should leave others longing for something more, something deeper. Let's embrace our role as salt, spreading the flavor of Christ's love wherever we go.
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