Was Jesus Joking When He Declared His Followers The Salt of The Earth?

It depends so much on you

We did not have a refrigerator until I was a teenager. We lived less than two miles from the Atlantic ocean.

Fishermen came to the door daily to sell fish. Sometimes, there was a glut of fish and the fishermen sold them off very cheaply. They too did not have refrigeration. My mother like many villagers would clean and salt the surplus fish. Then she would cover the grass before laying the fish on the ground.

My job as a five-year-old was to keep birds or pets away and to sound the alarm at the first sign of rain. Dried fish preserved with salt and sun was a healthy staple. She did not realize that she was using the same method as the Galileans in A.D 30.

Nearly two thousand years ago, when Jesus said: ‘You are the salt of the earth’.” (Matthew 5:13 ESV) — he created a stir with the disciples on the hill and shocked the crowd.

In Job 6:6, the importance of salt as a flavoring, our household use, was underscored. However, salt was used in other ways that have little meaning for us today but emphasized its importance in Biblical times

Six uncommon uses for salt

1. Salt was used for legal purposes and binding promises.

“Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, [even] to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt.” (2 Chronicles 13:5, ESV).

A covenant of salt validated contracts between people too. Some of these customs highlighted by @michael a.verdicchioare are still used today in the Middle East.

He reminded me of the first time Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin stepped on Egyptian soil in 1979. He was greeted by Anwar Sadat, the President of Egypt, who shared bread and salt, re-enacting the symbolism that had endured for millennia. Mr. Begin would be protected at all costs.

2. Salt was used in the offerings.

Ordinary people had to use salt even with their grain offerings.

Moses declared in the laws: “You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering, with all your offerings you shall offer salt.” (Leviticus 2:13 ESV).

3. Salt was used in the sacrifices.

The priest was responsible for the salt to be thrown with sacrificed meat

“You shall present them before the LORD, and the priests shall sprinkle salt on them and offer them up as a burnt offering to the LORD.” (Ezekiel 43:24, ESV).

4. Salt was offered as Gifts.

King Darius not only ordered that the loot from the temple be returned; but ensured that Ezra was able to give the other priests all they needed for worship including salt.

“And whatever is needed- bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of Heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require-let that be given to them day by day without fail.” (Ezra 6:9, ESV).

5. Salt was used for purification

Elijah healed the contaminated waters to allow the land to be irrigated so that food can grow.

“Then he went forth to the spring of the water, and threw salt in it and said, ‘Thus says the LORD, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it’. ” (2 Kings 2:21, ESV).

Salt was also used as a skin rub for infants but Ezekiel prophesied that Jerusalem would be unable to care for her newborn during a foreign invasion.

“And as for your birth, on the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to cleanse you, nor rubbed with salt, nor wrapped in swaddling cloths.”(Ezekiel 16:4, ESV).

6. Salt was used as punishment.

Lot’s wife was a metaphor for the destructive capability of salt. The fields of conquered towns were sown with salt creating hunger and crushing their economy. Lot’s wife was a metaphor for the destructive capability of salt.

How can we apply these uses of salt today?

The six uses of this mineral give us in the twenty-first century a better idea of the significant and spiritual role of salt in Biblical times. Jesus might have startled the disciples and others with his assertion. He was unequivocal when he affirmed them as salt, but I believe that was also his aspiration for all his followers.

My search for practical answers

I wish I knew the answers to some questions that plague me. I hope the following comments will prompt you to share your thoughts on how we can daily practice being the salt.

How can we relate to being salt in our covenants?

I know folks who do not hire contractors who claim to be Christians. They blame their poor workmanship or their unprofessionalism. What a disservice to other Christians who produce excellent work! Our word as the salt people should be as binding as a legal mandate provided by our courts.

How can we as followers of Christ respond effectively to the vulnerable people around us?

In ancient times, salt was used on the most vulnerable. We need to take care that our interventions are appropriate and safe. Too much salt can make food unpalatable or even inedible. Only the guidance of the Holy Spirit can keep us balanced. Too much of a good thing can be counter-productive.

What is the relevance of salt on the grain and meat offering today?

Salt had to accompany every sacrifice. Does that mean we are to be with those whose life is a sacrifice for God like the persecuted Christians? Or help our Christian workers who sacrificially serve the cause of Christ?

How do we purify situations with salt?

This is less difficult for me to apply. When I comply with the Apostle Paul’s advice:

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”(Colossians 4:6 ESV).

I decrease arguments, reduce name-calling and promote kindness. This is better achieved when I am not tired, hungry, or in a hurry. Words at the right time can be comforting or healing. Sometimes, it’s taking care to avoid slander or gossip. This promotes healthy communities before healing is required.

Can we ever give the gift of salt?

Victorious King Darius was prompted by God to give Ezra the priest and leader this gift of limitless salt, among other provisions. It is easy to assume that Christians are God’s gift to the world — their hospitality, morality, honesty, peaceable nature, fairness, and love are invaluable assets to any community.

But is this all? Can we be everywhere or maybe we should rethink the role of salt in our Christian institutions. Are the unchurched or downtrodden there? How can we season the whole world?

Be salt or be thrown out

After his powerful ascription, Jesus went on to say:

“but if salt has lost its taste, shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” (Matthew 5:13, ESV).

No one wants to be like the salt-sown fields where nothing grows. If followers of Christ fail their communities, who can help them? I only have one clue. It is Repentance.

Finally, I do not think that Jesus was joking when he defined his listeners as “salt of the earth”. He wanted his followers to have certain qualities. They did and eventually changed their world. Of course, those who give this a pass will believe that Jesus was joking.

I struggle to work out the ancient meaning in this digital age but I will keep on trying.

Thank you for reading all the questions and please let me know how you try to be the salt of the earth. I’d like to share your comments on this topic at some time to help us live a practical Christian life.