In Matthew 5:13, the bible says: “You are the salt of the earth….’’.
Jesus Christ uttered the statement above, as part of His celebrated Sermon on the Mount. It essentially served to influence how His disciples perceived and comported themselves! So, why did He label them the ‘salt of the earth’ you may wish to ask? We shall soon know! But, for now, let us look at some points surrounding the common salt for guidance.
The common salt is a white crystalline substance, which is also called Sodium Chloride (NaCl). It gives sea water its characteristic taste, and it is the only mineral that people eat. It is commonly used to season and preserve foods. Besides, it is an excellent disinfectant, and in some cold climes, it is used to melt snow on roadways, so as to make them motorable. No doubt, it is very invaluable to humanity!
The disciples of Jesus Christ, being the shakers and movers of their time, were also very invaluable to humanity! They preached to people, taught them, fed them, gave them succour, healed them, delivered them from bondage, and led them to Christ. No wonder Jesus Christ likened them to the ‘Salt of the Earth’.
Apart from the disciples of Jesus Christ, several Christians in times past, also qualified to be called ‘salts of the earth’, because their activities were invaluable to humanity. Some of them are:
1. Michael Faraday (1791-1867). His works on electricity and magnetism revolutionized physics and today, our computers, telephone lines, web sites, etc. depend on them.
2. Isaac Newton (1642-1727). He was an English physicist, mathematician, astrologer and theologian. He is considered by many, to be the greatest scientist that ever lived.
3. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895). He is remembered for his remarkable breakthroughs in the causes and preventions of diseases. He also created the first vaccine for rabies and anthrax.
4. William Wilberforce (1759-1833). His robust activities led to the abolition of slave trade through an act of the British Parliament.
Others in this group include Paul of Tarsus (Author and Apostle), David Livingstone (Missionary), Florence Nightingale (Nurse), Mother Teresa (Missionary/Humanitarian Worker), and Dr Martin Luther King Jnr (Civil Rights Activist).
There are many ‘Salts of the Earth’ in this age and time too, and you can be one of them if you wish (Philippians 4:13). But first, you have to identify what comes easy to you, and use it to glorify God. For example, if you are adept at writing, write to enlighten people, and to lead them to Jesus Christ. And if you are proficient in talking or listening to people, or in healing, organizing, assisting, mentoring, etc. them, then, you are in business! Just commit whatever you are good at into the hands of Jesus Christ in prayer, and He’ll strengthen and make it profoundly invaluable to humanity. And you can be pretty sure that He’ll reward you handsomely in return (Matthew 25:31-40).
Most of all, you must accept Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour. That is, you must be born again so that you can attain heaven your journey on earth is over.
Jesus is Lord!
(c) Adedayo Stoney Adegbulu, 2011