Over a hundred years ago, man used salt as a preservative.  Meat was rubbed in salt, and then stored in barrels.  It would last up to two months, sometimes longer. 

Salt was also connected with purity.  During the time of Jesus, the purest mineral was salt.  It was highly valued for by the Romans because of its glistening whiteness. 

Most of all, salt adds flavor.  Take any food, add salt, and the flavor explodes in your mouth.  Food without salt can taste sickening.

Jesus used salt to describe the impact of a follower of His upon the world.  His followers are preservatives.  We keep things from going bad.  We take on corruption and make things better for others.

We are also examples of purity.  Our lives show what it means to be pure through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Through love, compassion, and patience we bring good to the world and a message that saves.

Most of all we are examples of living a full life. It is saddening to see so many “Christians” live as if they were undertakers.  Jesus did not come to stop living, but to give life.  We demonstrate living.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we show the world what is real living.  We are upbeat, positive, encouraging, enjoying each moment, enjoying all of creation, giving love to all.

If followers of Jesus Christ are not salt, they are useless to the Kingdom.  Jesus saw our usefulness demonstrating it through this small example.  Be salt, be useful, and most of all live for Him.

You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses it saltines, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Matthew 5: 13