Salt

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.”

Rob and I have been studying the life of Christ. One really thought provoking thing that hit my heart was the professor's thoughts on Mat 5:13. Specifically salt. I have heard many takes on this, but I'll focus on what was a much different perspective that really gave me a cause for pause. He reflected on this humble spice's place and purpose in this society. Without refrigeration, salt was what they used to preserve the fish they caught, their meat and (Ezekiel 16:4) they even rubbed down babies with it!  The world that Christ entered, when He was born of Mary, was one where the word of God had been manipulated and added to until it was oppressive and abusive to God's people. It was also, big business. Things like the Sabbath which was meant to be a blessing, became a burden. Don't wear shoes with nails in them on the Sabbath because the extra weight constitutes work. Don't walk on the grass on the Sabbath, it constituted threshing. If your house caught on fire on the Sabbath you could not carry anything out of the house, but you could put on as many layers of clothes as possible and wear them out. Why not just put out the fire? It was prohibited on the Sabbath. We find that Christ pushed back against this oppressive teaching often. An example of this is Matthew 12 when He was being challenged about healing on the Sabbath. I have no doubt early on people noticed when the Jewish leaders were making... changes, but thought, they know what they are doing or were too intimidated to challenge them. In essence, Jesus came and said enough. He stood up to them. He turned over tables. I love Him for it. He broke down the barriers and made a way for all of us, if we follow Him.  As for the salt/preservative, we are called to be the salt of the Earth. Reflecting on the above, it is clear to me that Jesus is saying don't let this happen again. Preserve the Gospel. As a disciple of Christ I take this call seriously. I make sure to do my best to be like the Acts 17:11 Bereans. I listen, examine and when I get a check in my spirit, I ask questions. I pray for God's strength and courage to be the salt I am called to be. Questions, comments and insight welcome. God Bless.