Matthew 5:13: Salt of the Land

Script

Jon: The Sermon on the Mount is the largest collection of the teachings of Jesus. We’re in the introduction, where Jesus describes the identity of his followers. Now, the introduction has three parts. The first is about the surprising announcement that God’s Kingdom is coming for the poor and unimportant, for those who hunger to see the world set right, and for those who try to make peace.

Tim: Next, Jesus describes his followers with a new image, comparing them to salt. Here is how he puts it.

Jon: “You are the salt of the land.”¹

So why is Jesus calling his followers salt?

Tim: In the ancient world, salt had an important function—to preserve food and make it last a really long time. This is why, in the Hebrew Bible, salt is associated with God’s long-lasting covenant promises to Israel.²

Jon: Right, so in that covenant, God chose Israel from among the nations to be his partners. He would bless them so that they could, together, spread life to the world around them.³

Tim: Right! And just like salt preserves food, the role of God’s partners is to preserve the life of creation by preserving the covenant. And this partnership is a choice, which is why Jesus says:

Jon: “But if the salt becomes unsalty, with what can it be made salty again? It’s useful for nothing, except to be thrown out and stepped on by humans.”⁴

Tim: According to Israel’s prophets, Israel violated their covenant with God, that is, they became unsalty. So God allowed enemy nations to conquer and exile them from their land and stomp all over them.⁵ But here, Jesus is announcing something bold to his followers. God is renewing his “salty crew” within Israel. Through Jesus, they can experience God’s covenant blessings and recover Israel’s calling to preserve the life of the world.