Monday, August 1st Mission Trip Devotional

Salt I - by Anna

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. - Matthew 5:13

Salt was used for several things in Jesus' day. It was often used as a cleansing agent. Whether cleaning objects or people, salt was used to scrub away filth and grime. It was also used medicinally. Salt was used to heal wounds and infection. Salt was used to flavor meals, without it food was bland and unsavory. Finally, salt was used in trade. It was very expensive, and was often used as money for the purchase of needed goods. A bag of salt was worth a man's salary for an entire year.

With this understanding of salt, how can we see this verse from Matthew 5? Jesus tells us that we are precious like the salt used to buy goods. We are meant to flavor, heal, and cleanse the earth. If we do not, we are useless, like old salt that has lost it's many qualities.
How will you be salt today? How will you behave as if you are a treasured possession of the Father? How will you heal? Where can you add flavor? Who needs a good scrubbing?

Prayer

God, show me where and when to salt your earth today. Move me aside, so that your work can be accomplished.

Amen.