Matthew 5:13 - How Salty Are You?

Matthew 5:13

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.

When Jesus declared, "You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13), He wasn't asking us to go out into the world like Emeril Lagasse, shouting “Bam!” and adding flavor to everything—He was laying down a profound and meaningful guideline for how we’re meant to live as His followers.

So, what does it really mean to be the “salt of the earth,” and why does it matter so much?

First off, back in the time Matthew wrote his Gospel, salt was essential for preserving food. Before refrigeration, keeping food from spoiling, especially in hot climates, was crucial. Jesus used this image to emphasize our role in preserving the goodness and truth of God’s Kingdom in a world that can easily slip into moral decay. Paul echoes this idea in Romans 12:2, where he urges us “not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds.” By living out our faith, we help maintain the moral and spiritual integrity of society, preventing it from falling apart.

But Jesus didn’t stop at preservation. Salt also enhances flavor. It makes food taste better, just as we’re called to bring out the best in the world around us. In Colossians 4:6, Paul advises us to let our conversations be “always full of grace, seasoned with salt,” so that we know how to respond to everyone. Our words and actions should add a touch of grace, kindness, and love, making life richer and more meaningful for those around us. We’re here to add a bit of compassion to a world that can often feel bland and bitter.

Salt also represents purity. James 1:27 calls us to keep ourselves “unstained from the world.” This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect, but it does mean striving to live with integrity and holiness. By maintaining purity in our hearts and actions, as Jesus encouraged in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:8), we set a godly example for others to follow. Our purity shines as a beacon of light in a world that can sometimes be dark.

Lastly, in ancient times, salt symbolized covenant loyalty. In Numbers 18:19, salt is mentioned in the context of the “covenant of salt” between God and His people, representing a lasting and enduring agreement. As the salt of the earth, we’re called to be steadfast in our commitment to God and the mission He has given us. This isn’t just a temporary task but a lifelong calling to be faithful witnesses of His love and truth. Paul encourages us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” knowing that our efforts are never in vain.

However, Jesus also warns us about the dangers of losing our “saltiness.” In the same verse, He says, "It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." This is a serious reminder that if we, as His followers, lose our distinctiveness—if we stop living according to His teachings and values—we risk becoming ineffective in our mission.

In the ancient world, salt that had become diluted or contaminated with impurities lost its value and its effectiveness. Similarly, if we fail to live out our faith and values, we can’t fulfill the role Jesus has called us to. In this sense, our witness and influence become "useless," like flavorless salt. The phrase "thrown out and trampled underfoot" carries a sense of judgment or consequence. Just as useless salt is discarded, so too might we be if we fail to live out our calling effectively, risking irrelevance or rejection by those around us.

In essence, Jesus is urging us to maintain our distinctiveness as His disciples—preserving our "saltiness" by living in accordance with His teachings. It’s a serious responsibility, but also a joyful one. We have the opportunity to make a real difference simply by living out the values Jesus taught. Let’s embrace our role with enthusiasm and purpose, sprinkling a bit of that divine salt wherever we go—preserving goodness, enhancing life, and reflecting the purity and loyalty of our covenant with God.

Matthew 4:4 - Food for the Soul

Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

I love to eat - admittedly, too much at times. You can keep your steak and potatoes, to me, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a freshly baked casserole, bubbling with cheese and filled with layers of savory goodness. Whether it’s a hearty lasagna, hot “Chicken Mexicana”, or even a classic green bean casserole, food has a way of bringing joy, warmth, and satisfaction to our lives. But as much as I cherish these earthly delights, I know that food, and all things of this world, pale in comparison to the things of Heaven. It’s essential to keep this perspective in mind, especially when we consider the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 4:4.

After fasting for 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:4), Jesus responds to the devil’s temptation by saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” This profound statement reminds us that while food nourishes our bodies, it is God's word that truly sustains us. The physical nourishment we receive from food is temporary and fleeting, but the spiritual nourishment we gain from God’s word is eternal and life-giving.

Jesus' response teaches us that the things of this world, even something as essential as food, must be put into perspective. The world offers many things that can satisfy us temporarily—food, wealth, success, and comfort—but these are fleeting. In contrast, the words of God offer lasting fulfillment and guide us toward eternal life.

This principle is echoed throughout Scripture. In Deuteronomy 8:3, Moses reminds the Israelites that God humbled them and allowed them to hunger so that they might learn, “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” God’s provision goes beyond physical needs and extends to spiritual sustenance.

In John 6:35, Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the ultimate source of spiritual nourishment. While casseroles may satisfy our physical hunger, only Jesus, the Bread of Life, can satisfy our spiritual hunger and thirst.

Matthew 4:4 also highlights the importance of relying on Scripture to guide our lives. Jesus, in His moment of physical weakness, turns to Scripture for strength and guidance. Jesus models for us the importance of immersing ourselves in God’s word, allowing it to be our anchor in times of temptation and trial. Psalm 119:105 reflects this truth by saying, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” It’s God’s word that illuminates our way and sustains us through life’s challenges.

The verse also reminds us to trust in God’s provision. In a world where we’re often tempted to rely on our own efforts to meet our needs, Jesus shows us that true reliance is on God alone. Philippians 4:19 assures us, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” When we trust in God’s provision, we acknowledge that He knows our needs better than we do and that He will provide for us in ways that are far beyond what this world can offer.

So while I may love casseroles and all the wonderful foods this world has to offer, I know that they are only temporary pleasures. The word of God, the Bread of Life, offers sustenance that will carry us through this life and into eternity. Let us remember to prioritize the spiritual over the physical, to rely on Scripture for guidance, and to trust in God’s unfailing provision. In doing so, we’ll find that the things of this world, as delightful as they may be, truly pale in comparison to the things of Heaven.

Galatians 2:20 - Have You Had a Close Call?

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Have you ever had a “close call”? Maybe you just missed being hit by a car that didn’t see you while changing lanes. Or perhaps you were hit—but came through the experience with only a few bumps and bruises—yet when you look at your car, you wonder how you weren’t killed!

If you’ve lived a normal life, you can probably look back and recall a lot of close calls—some closer than others.

A close call with death can dramatically change us—how we see life, what we consider important, and what we realize isn’t. These close calls make us more aware of our mortality and cause us to rethink our priorities. Where we once felt invincible and thought death was something that happened to others, we now see how fragile life is, and our view of what matters is turned upside down.

For Christians, recognizing our vulnerability can actually help us grow spiritually. In fact, if we don’t have a close call with evil, we might end up with just a set of beliefs—not truly understanding what Christ wants us to become.

Real conversion happens when we grasp the dangers we face and recognize our need for salvation. This deeper understanding helps us fully appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice.

Surviving a close call also reshapes our sense of strength and weakness. When we understand our vulnerability, we are humbled—but in that weakness, we often find true strength. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” He was reminding us that resilience and faith are where true power lies.

These close call experiences often lead us to change how we live. For instance, we might start taking better care of ourselves or pursue dreams we’ve been putting off. In Romans 12:2, Paul urges us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” A close call can inspire us to live more purposefully, in line with God’s will.

Paul’s own conversion in Acts 9 is a powerful example. His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was a dramatic close call that completely changed him. On his way to persecute Christians, he suddenly saw how wrong he had been, and his life was never the same. In Galatians 2:20, Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” His encounter didn’t just change his beliefs—it changed him at the core.

A close call reminds us that life is fragile and helps us focus on what truly matters. It gives us an opportunity to reset our priorities, deepen our compassion, and live with greater intention and gratitude. Through these moments, we learn to embrace life more fully, understand what God has done for us through His Son, and recognize that each day is a blessing.