Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
February 23, 2023
Read Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.
Good Morning, This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Salt and Light! Jesus tells us that we are to be salt. As we considered this passage earlier this month, we looked at how salt was/is used. In Jesus’ time, salt held great value. It was a form of currency, and it was essential to preserving food before refrigeration existed. It was also used to purify ceremonial sacrifices. Of course, there is the use of which we are most aware to flavor our foods.
Have you ever oversalted something you were cooking and tried to eliminate the abundance? It is very difficult, but one way that can work is to add raw potatoes to the pot. The potatoes will absorb the salt, and then you can remove them. You aren’t eliminating the salt itself; you are simply transferring it to something else.
What about the idea of salt losing its saltiness? Salt can be diluted when added to other ingredients, and salt can be defiled when mixed with other things. Jesus reminds us that when we mix salt with other things, it can’t be used for its intended purpose.
I used to do an experiment with students where you added salt to boiling water so it would dissolve. Then you brushed the black paper with the salt water. When the water evaporated, the salt remained.
Christ calls us to be salt. We are to preserve the teachings of Christ so that God’s children will not become victims of social injustice. We are the standard bearers of morality in a world where many have lost their way. Likewise, we are to add flavor to the world by accentuating God’s creation’s beauty. We must not allow ourselves to become diluted or mixed with things that weaken the message of God.
The example of the salt remaining on the paper and the absorption by the potato reminds us that salt is able to withstand all attacks. The potato is full of salt, and the paper is crusted with salt. Even when salt is absorbed or dissolved, it remains strong and powerful. Jesus wants us to stay salty so that we can preserve the things of value, the heavenly value, not earthly value, in this world. We are also to add flavor to all we encounter on our faith journeys. We do this by living a life full of hope, joy, love, and peace that is visible to all who open their eyes.
Loving God, Thank You for being with us. You bless us. We are salt, and we are light. You made us strong so that all may see and come to You. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God calls us to be the salt that flavors life.
Stay Salty! Pastor Liz