Being Salt is a Tasteful Calling
by: Karen Horst-Cobb
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses
its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for
nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Matthew 5:13
The first wars ever fought on the earth are believed to
have been fought over salt! It held the power for survival
as a preservative and flavor enhancer. To ancient peoples it
literally meant immortality. It was essential in sacrificial
offerings and in burial practices. The Nile River was a rich
source of the three salts necessary for mummification.
Ancient peoples believed that a preserved body was essential
to continue to exist in the after-life or to return in
re-incarnation. Jesus was well aware of the importance of
people’s desire for salt.
When Jesus traveled from town to town, it was on salt
trade routes which were established 150 years before his
birth. These routes of commerce later became known as the
“silk road.” Salt and the desire for salt had a huge impact
on culture by connecting towns, villages, countries and
continents. This impact is still reflected in our language.
The English word “Salary” comes from the word salt. We still
sometimes hear the expression, “He is not worth his salt.”
Roman soldiers were often paid in salt because It was
valuable, easy to carry, and in limited supply. People
competed for it in the market place, and one who had a lot
of salt was wealthy.
Understanding the importance of salt in ancient times
helps us understand the story of Lot’s wife in Genesis. We
are told she wanted to return to her wealthy and luxurious
life-style in Sodom. The irony becomes clear; she turned
into a pillar of salt. It would be like saying she loved
money so much she turned into a huge pile of it. In the end,
she was only that thing which she loved. This is a lesson
for us all.
The Arabic word peace (salaam) means negotiation
(originally over salt). Likewise, the word for war (milah"'ama)
was in reference to the disruption of salt sources and
delivery. A community cut off from its salt supply would be
destroyed. Salt was the ingredient, the nutrient, the life
force, unlike today where it has become the thing many of us
avoid in our diets or that little something that makes
things taste better. It is little wonder we have not given
Bible references to salt more attention. Perhaps when we
read references to salt we can better understand the meaning
if we substitute a commodity which symbolizes the same thing
in today’s world. Oil! The disruption of its flow represents
suffering and death. Those who have it are rich. Those who
want it are ruthless. Peace will come when it is negotiated,
and war is synonymous with the disruption of its flow.
“We are the salt of the earth” takes on a whole new
meaning. People who live by the values of Jesus are
essential to the welfare of our communities and our world.
The presence of truth, love and forgiveness are the values
of believers as “salt.“ This is what hinders the decay of
our societies. It preserves and sustains the people. Our
ability to negotiate, to think about the needs and desires
of both sides in a conflict sustains peace. The message is
repeated in Mark 9:50 where we are instructed to “have salt
in yourselves and have peace with one another. “ His grace
is sufficient for all. We do not need to worry about the
preservation of our lives.
Prayer: Immortal Lord, who sustains our
bodies and our souls, teach me what it means to have salt
within myself so I may help nourish, preserve, and bring
peace to the world. May I not shy away from inhibiting
corruption and decay where it exists. Let me be poured out
for you in generous amounts to bring peace.
Action: Be salt this week in some way.
Preserve goodness, hinder corruption, and negotiate peace.
Do one act which salts the world. Make your voice heard
in Washington on war and corruption and at the same time act
or speak out for goodness in your local community.
Karen Cobb is a freelance writer and artist in Santa Fe,
NM and can be contacted at cairnhcobb@msn.com.
