Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Matthew 5:13

"You are the salt the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its savor with what shall it be salted? It is thereafter good for nothing, but to be cast out, and be trodden under the foot of man."

 

Jesus is talking to His disciples. These are believers whom He has chosen to be the leaders of His church which will be established on the Day of Pentecost. I see them as His "Seminary Students" who will be the spiritual leaders of His "called out" followers.

 

As I have evaluated His church, I see her (His bride) as the leaders of a two part spiritual community. In the church we have "the laity" and "the ordained laity" (I do not see any hierarchy between the two). "The laity" are believers (disciples) who are being trained to continue the work of the "Great Commission" (Matthew 28:18-20) while "the ordained laity" are those who have been called to prepare and instruct their brothers and sisters in Christ to carry out the Great Commission.

 

As Jesus is speaking to His disciples is He not speaking to me also?  Am I not then permitted to say, "Jesus is speaking to me as He speaks to His disciples? Thus would it not be permissible for me to paraphrase this passage into the first person singular?" Let me paraphrase this by writing "I am the salt of the earth. But if I have lost my savor what will make me salt again? I am no longer fir for anything but to be tossed out and trampled on by men". To me, this makes the analogy far more personal as "I" refers it to "I, me, my" rather than "you".

 

Now let me share with you, the student, how this applies to "my" life rather than the proverbial "you".

 

I. The purpose of me" "I am the salt of the earth."

The value of salt. Throughout the history of mankind salt has been of great value in society and to our very lives. In the times of the Roman Empire it was of such great value that Soldiers were paid in salt. The word from which our word salt is a derivative is our word for "salary". This gives credence to our expression, "He isn't worth his salt." This is a less than honoring recognition.

 

As I apply this to my life, I see my value to the eternal God of heaven. I am of such value to Him, not because of my own personal self worth, but because of the value he has placed upon me. I am so valuable to Him that had I been the only individual on earth He sent "His only begotten Son" to die on the cross to pay the debt of my sin that I might live with Him forever. He has placed such a value on me that He wants me to call Him "Our (my) Father who art (is) in heaven ---."

 

The purposes of salt, the value of salt comes from its many uses.

 

It is used as a seasoning. This simply makes most any of our foods taste better, more palatable. When we face the menus of our life, many of the items may seem bitter, sour, or rancid. Daily, as I live my life, I may face difficult situations that may cause me bitterness. The seasoning of the spiritual understanding of God's word makes even the bitterest experiences more palatable. My life, my witness may make the difficult times in the lives of others more palatable, also.

 

Salt is also used as a preservative. When the Christians are caught up in the rapture, their preserving influence will be taken from the world and (excuse the term, but) "all hell will break loose as Satan is determined to destroy God's earth and all human being living on it."

 

Salt makes one thirsty. Does my life radiate the life of Christ that will cause others to see me and become thirty for the "Water of life"?

 

Salt makes food taste better. When others see my life and attitude of praise and joy do the desire to taste of the "Bread of Life".

 

We who live in colder northern regions also have another excellent use of salt. Salt can be used as a de-icer in cold winter weather. Does my walk with Christ help others get a solid grip on the sure foundation that they can have solid traction to walk steadfastly with Christ in slippery circumstances? (Matthew 7:13,14), Luke 6:39).

 

To me the richest blessing is answering the two questions "Who is speaking?"  "And To whom is he speaking?" Jesus was speaking to the disciples. In reference He was speaking to believers. Thus, He is saying "You (believers) "I am the salt of the earth. This makes the challenge more personal; He is speaking to me personally. He is saying, "I am the salt of the earth." Then I must ask myself, "Is my life making all these qualities of salt available to those around me?"