How shall its saltiness be restored?
Wed, 30 November, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.
34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Jesus has been telling his disciples what it will cost them to follow Him, and He has just challenged them to count the cost. They need to know what they are getting into, and realize that following Him can (and for most of them will) cost them very dearly.
There are no half-way measures in following Christ. He calls us to completely and unreservedly follow Him.
It is in this context that He uses the analogy of salt.
What do we learn from this?
If someone says he is a disciple of Jesus Christ, but puts something before obedience to Jesus, that person is like salt that isn’t salty.
Think about it: What purpose does salt have other than to be salty? Salt has no other quality than saltiness. There is nothing useful you can do with non-salty salt, so you just throw it away as worthless.
What is the purpose of a disciple who won’t follow or obey his master? Such a person is no more a disciple than non-salty salt is salt. In both cases, they have failed in their purpose. They are good for nothing and are thrown away.
Our profession of faith is serious. We must not lightly make a profession to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus warns us that following Him will cost us something. Realize it upfront. If we aren’t going to commit to continue to follow Jesus Christ in the tough times, we aren’t really disciples of His.
Where is Christ in this passage?
Jesus Christ calls us to be His disciples. But He bids us come with our eyes open, knowing the cost and willing to stand for Him.
Will we live up to this call to perfect discipleship? No, but if we truly are His disciples, we will not completely fail in it either.
