Matthew 5:13
Memory Verse
You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt becomes stale, by what will it not be stale? It has no strength, except to be cast out to be trodden under the foot of men (Matthew 5:13).
In Jesus’ declaration of the Kingdom of the Heavens to the Israelites, He describes the nation of Israel as the salt of the earth. The world has not been destroyed because of the land promise God gave Abraham in Genesis 15:18–21. God cannot lie. Therefore, Israel must receive the land, and the earth is preserved in accordance with His promise to Abraham. In Luke 14:33–35, the Jew who does not forsake all to follow Christ is like salt that has lost its essential quality to preserve.
When it comes to salt and the grace believer, Paul instructs the Church to always speak with grace, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). The concept of “seasoned” in this context means a purposeful application. The grace believer’s words are to be prepared to meet the need and to preserve peace when possible. This is not about making something palatable. “Palatable” is conveyed by either the term ἡδύς (hēdýs), meaning sweet or pleasant, or εὔγευστος (eúgeustos), meaning pleasant or acceptable to the taste. Neither of these words occurs in Scripture. Grace is an attitude that gives a benefit without considering merit. Therefore, the Christian speaks in a way that represents who he is in Christ, not based on the value of the listener. Along with grace, his words must be prepared to meet the need. The focus of salt in Scripture is to preserve, not to make something palatable. The Church’s promises are heavenly, not earthly (Philippians 3:20). Therefore, the Church is never described as the salt of the earth.
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus describes salt as losing its preservative power. He uses a word that means to become foolish, dull, or sluggish. This same word is used in 1 Corinthians 1:20 to describe the wisdom of this world. God has made the wisdom of this world foolish. This means it has lost its essential quality to preserve. This type of foolishness is found in those who reject God but consider themselves wise (Romans 1:22). Similarly, the Jew who does not follow Him—the promised Messiah—is foolish and has lost his essential purpose for belonging to the people of God.