Nougat 30

So siblings,

I went searching yesterday for the chemical process of re-salination, i.e., re-salting salt, and there’s no direct method. In fact, from a scientific point of view, there’s no way that salt can lose its saltiness. Hmmn. What does that mean for us? Let’s consider Today’s Holy Nougat once again

‭Matthew 5:13 NLT‬

[13] “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Unsalty Salt p.2 – Resalination?

Before revisiting the implications of Jesus’ words, let me pause long enough to say that this resalting idea relates to table salt. One only needs to use deicing salt on the winter roads once, to realize that after it has melted the ice, whatever remains is contaminated. Of course, at that point, the remains are truly without value. In such contexts, Jesus’ point is without rebuttal.

There is also a school of thought that suggests Jesus was referencing a special type of salt in the region that was harvested in its impure state and was easily contaminated. When that happened, it was actually toxic to the soil, so it had to be carefully disposed of to prevent negative impact on its environment. Usually, it was thrown on a walking path, where it would do no damage. If that holds true, it is likely that Jesus’ then audience totally understood His reference.

Some theologians have suggested that dissolving or continuously diluting salt or adding chemical solutions was guaranteed to reduce the potency of salt. It invites us to further self examination: where are we located as the salt of the world? Have we been compromised by the associations we’ve made, are we (over)/used or misplaced in ministry, or have we become diluted? If the answer to the latter is yes, don’t wait – pray right now: Dear Jesus, I’ve lost my saltiness, please salinate me afresh.

But what if Jesus was speaking into the lives of those gathered before Him? What if Jesus was speaking a scientific truism? Let’s for a second suppose that He knew that you and I would read this one day, and that some of us suffer from imposter syndrome (feeling that we don’t qualify for, or deserve an honour or position we’re in). Let’s also presume that Jesus counted on our knowing that table salt typically can’t lose its saltiness. Based on that premise, let’s hear the Nougat again, this time as an affirmation:

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again?

Siblings, if salt can’t lose its flavour, could Jesus be saying rhetorically that we can’t lose His flavour? That He lives in us always … like how He’s with us always? Could Jesus be reminding us that we matter, and we’re called to walk in God’s purpose with purpose, and on purpose (i.e., according to God’s plans, confidently and intentionally)? If so, what do we do differently?

Knowing we are salt, infused with God’s flavour, knowing that that God’s flavour is here in us to stay, we seek to determine where, when, how God’s will for our lives is to be effected, and walk in our by God’s grace.

We are the salt of this earth … flavoured by the Spirit of God.

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May all we seek be found in Christ