In explaining the passage, there was a number of things that were noteworthy:
1. We are the Salt of the World- Salt affects what's around it and not the other way around. Salt must be rubbed into the meat for it to be useful. We are called to be "in the world but not of the world" to affect the world by being present. This is why the monastic worldview that many Christians hold sub-consciously is patently wrong. If salt is holding itself apart to keep itself pure, it succeeds. But it also is rendered useless as the meat rots.
Jesus is also putting forward (according to Rev. Legge) the point that his disciples *alone* are the Salt of the World. We are commanded by our Lord to affect those around us by being holy in an unholy world. This is not easy. If it were, it would be worth nothing. But, no matter how easy or hard, that's what we're to do if we have the courage before God to call ourselves Christians.
2. A Man Not Worth His Salt- This expression (now nearing being archaic) comes from the practice around the Roman times of paying Soldiers with salt. It was such a rare and precious commodity that men were reimbursed for risking their lives with it. Therefore, a man "not worth his salt" is a man not worthy of his pay.
We also get our word "salary" from "salt money", from this payment. This brings the concept into our modern world of computers and monorails. Even with all that, we still get 'salt money'. *laughs* No particular reason for this point, I just thought it was very interesting. (I'm an English major, what more could you expect?)
3. Salt's Communion- We're to be Salt of the World. Salt does not serve by itself nor is it a single grain of salt that we put on our food. There's always one or two grains with it, at least. Now, in addition to putting forward the obvious (and time-worn) argument that we should attend Church so that we will be able to grow and have communion with the other salt, I'll add that we should have strong Christian friends to hold us accountable. We're to preserve the world, no be disillusioned by contact with it. Sin creeps in a foot in the door at a time; we must be vigilant and, if any has ever played paintball, airsoft or a first person shooter, you know you need someone to watch your back.
4. Salt in the Old Testament- Salt was the sign of a holy relationship with God. With salt, there was no decay. It's an image of God's influence in human interactions, preventing decay in our relationships, our families, our governments and in law. We see all these decaying around us as Christians and we shake our heads. What do we do about them?
There are sins of commission and sins of omission. Sins of commission do things like steal, lie, etc... you have to DO something you shouldn't. Sins of omission, on the other hand, are the less talked about (because they're not able to be put into a legalistic framework, like our church's usually have. That's another topic tho.) of the two. Sins of omission are NOT doing something you're supposed to do, helping the sick, protecting the powerless, etc... Which are we? Do we work in this culture to save it from its own corruption or do we do like Jonah did and "sit outside the city". Jesus went into the city and "wept over it". Which master will we emulate?
5. What can we do?- Who do we know from the Bible that was Salt in their worlds? It wasn't just easy like we might think. Joseph was in the middle of Ancient Egypt, the very mecca of false-god worship. Daniel was in the land of Babylon, many gods were worshiped there. Esther was the Queen of Persia (of 300 fame). All these people of God were examples of Holy Living in the midst of great darkness and unholiness. In times like these that we find ourselves in, light shines more brightly in the midst of deepening darkness. (both moral and economic)
6. We are Salt, not Sugar- What could the two possibly have in common? Well, in their very refined state, both are white granules. I've gotten them confused on a number of occasions, to my chagrin (try salt in your tea one day). But, there's another, deeper connection. We're called to be salty in this world, but Christians seems to think they're supposed to be sugar. Be sweet to those around you no matter what their morality. For those that have done bio experiments, sugar speeds up the decomposition process. We're called to be salt, not sugar. It'll make other people mad around us. Their consciences are stung, which means we're salty. Do not be brash... salt works well enough without scraping it on an open wound. We're to be gentle, not brash. Why bring the Way of God into disrepute by being angry or acting superior? You must both have gentleness AND truth, not one while lacking the other. Don't be We're God's Children, be dignified.
7. Why not Raptured?- Did you ever wonder why you weren't instantly raptured when you were saved? It's because we're to be salt. We're to be WITNESSES of Jesus to a dead and rotting world. God has seen fit to keep us here, we best move like we actually believe it or we tread on God's grace. That's a dangerous place to be.
8. Salt Flavors- What shall we say about the taste of salt? Anyone who has tasted it can quickly identify it again. It's got a biting, well, salty taste to it. It adds spice. Christianity and holy living add that same spice to life. We're often depicted as the dull and old ones. Just for example, how many hot couples have you seen on TV that're young and hot and thrashing about in passion? That's how you're supposed to have a good sex life, right? Wrong. According to a survey linked here- (http://www.healthyplace.co
9. Salt's holiness- Salt is "set apart". In its current form of purification, there's very little chance of our salt becoming useless. However, in ancient times, salt could be mixed with other chemicals, diluted with water, mixed with earth or other contaminants. If any of these happened, the salt could become useless. That's another trait of salt, it only really has one use. If grapes are on your table, they can be enjoyed for refreshment. If they're rotten, you can make wine. If too damaged for that, vinegar. If too far gone for that, they can at least be used as fertilizer. Salt, if not salty, is USELESS. Brothers and Sisters, we face an anti-Christian culture because we have surrendered our holy saltiness and, rightly, they have no use for us. Maintain your holiness and your difference. Stay in close-walking with your fellow Christians and avoid the wolves. We must live holy lives in a very unholy environment. Persevere.
10. Who's to blame- So then, my dear brothers and sisters: in conclusion on this topic. Before you say a word about the world and its moral degradation. Before we complain about evil philosophies and shocking declarations. Before we dare judge other people that have no knowledge of Truth. We must look at ourselves. If the world is not salty, it is our fault. We are the Salt of the Earth and if we're not doing our job, you see the kind of disintegration that radiates from the world. Brothers and Sisters, this is our mission, our quest. Let us do it faithfully until our Lord returns.
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