Matthew 5:13, The Sermon On The Mount-- "Ye are the salt of the earth... "
The Gospel According to Matthew / Matthew 5:13
Matthew 5:1–16
Matthew 5:13a
Written to disciples
We are called not to just be professors of his name, we are called to live a life of holiness that is worthy to bear his name.
1 Corinthians 10:26
The savour of this salt is Grace
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Mark 9:50, “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”
Numbers 18:19
Leviticus 2:13
2 Chronicles 13:5
Jesus— as our Prophet, Priest, and King— works in us to make us savory unto the Father, and salt unto the world.
Job 6:6, “Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt?”
Why are Disciples called salt and compared to it?
There are a number of comparisons between salt and disciples.
1. Salt acts as a preservative of foods.
A disciple as salt in the world acts as a preservative to the world, keeping it from being overwhelmed with corruption
Isaiah 1:9
2 .Salt prevents putrefaction— meaning it stops decay and it’s rotten stench.
A disciple as salt in the world prevents spreading of the decay and stench of sin and false teachings.
1 Peter 4:4
3. Salt cleanses, it is able to be used to scrub away filth.
A disciple as salt in the world carries the message of the Gospel of grace, where the blood of Jesus Christ washes away sin-- and is able to cleanse the filthiest of souls.
2 Corinthians 7:1–2
4. Salt acts as a disinfectant— killing harmful things and purifying a substance.
A disciple as salt in the world, should have their lives point to things which are above, and as a result kill harmful sins and live a life of purity.
Colossians 3:1–10
5. Salt creates thirst.
A disciple as salt in the world stirs up thirsty and dry souls, causing a thirst for the righteousness of Christ to those who are called.
6. Salt, as a seasoning, provides or increases flavor, even making foods palatable and transforming tastes into something more pleasing.
A disciple as salt in the world, by the work of the Holy Spirit, seasons the hearts and minds of men with preaching, teaching, good works, and righteous living-- which all reflect Jesus Christ.
Our speech and conversation also should be savory unto all.
Colossians 4:6
Ephesians 5:4
A disciple as salt in the world is savory to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Mark 9:50
The extent of that savoury influence, we are told in Matthew 5:13, is to be unto the whole earth.
Acts 1:8
How are Disciples to be the Salt of the Earth?
Colossians 3:12–17
Matthew 5:13b-c
Luke 14:34
This portion of Jesus’ statement also attests to the preservation of his saints, and the gift of perseverance that he gives to them.
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
1 Peter 1:5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
We are Christ’s. (1 Peter 1:18–19) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
Close
1 Peter 4:1–11
May the Good Lord keep us savory— being the salt of the earth in grace and truth— all to the glory of God.