God’s Word for You
Luke 14:34-35 Salt
by Pastor Timothy Smith on Tuesday, October 2, 2018
34 “Salt is good. But if salt loses its salty taste, what can make it salty again? 35 It isn’t good enough for the soil or the manure pile. They throw it away. Anyone who has ears to hear should hear!”
Salt (Greek halas) was used for seasoning (Job 6:6) and for a variety of purposes in the Old Testament sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13; Exodus 30:35; Ezra 6:9). It was used to rub down newborn babies, although the reason is not given (Ezekiel 16:4).
Here Jesus uses salt as a metaphor for the antidote for corruption. Salt does a lot of good things, not only for taste but also for preservation. But if it loses its saltiness or its salty taste, is it good for anything anymore? When we find ourselves in an either-or moment, either Jesus or something/someone else, Jesus needs to come out on top. The “salt” in this situation is the deciding factor, the antidote for corruption. It’s the working attitude in us that places Jesus above everything, which is the point he has made all through this part of the chapter. If it really comes down to your Savior or your family, God wants us to choose him. If it really comes down to total defeat (condemnation in hell) or Jesus, then give up and repent; sue for peace. Remember David’s example when he sinned by counting up the number of warriors he had. God became enraged and gave him choices for his punishment. Through the prophet Gad, he let him choose between three years of famine, three months of being pursued by his enemies, or three days of plague from the Lord. David didn’t even hesitate: “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great, but do not let me fall into the hands of men” (2 Samuel 24:13).
If your salt loses its saltiness, what good is it? If your faith loses its faithfulness, what good is it? Let God’s Law and Gospel be your spiritual and moral compass. Let love predominate in your life. Let the love of Christ fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, “so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Use your faith as salt, preserving you from corruption and decay, and remain in the Word of God every day, day by day, to tear down your sins, lift up your Savior, and guide you on the path toward everlasting life.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minnesota. To receive God’s Word for You via e-mail, please visit the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church website.