Moment of Meditation: Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13)

"You are the salt of the earth."
(Matthew 5:13)

Salt of the Earth

Salt is one of the most important commodities in the ancient world. Before the invention of refrigeration, packing meat in salt was the only way to preserve it.

Although salt is now used more for flavoring than as a preservative, it still has that preserving characteristic. Jesus wants His followers to have that preserving power. Luther teaches us in the Small Catechism that this preservation comes through the power of the Holy Spirit: "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith."

The Holy Spirit's preservation comes through the great means of the Church: the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins and the life everlasting. By these means, the Holy Spirit grants us faith and keeps us together with the whole Christian Church on earth in the one true faith in Jesus Christ.

"You are the salt of the earth," Jesus says. Be salt and use your God-given gifts to preserve the faith of those around you. Amen.