Despite attempts to explain the symbolic importance of salt in this verse as a preservative, a purifier, a symbol of righteousness, and other things, it would seem best to simply accept Christ’s words that if the salt loses its flavor, it is useless. This was, after all, the primary use of salt – to give flavor and make things pleasing and palatable – as we see in the Book of Job: “Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt?” (Job 6:6a). The apostle Paul used a metaphor of salt in a similar way, saying: “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt…” (Colossians 4:6). This understanding of the function of salt to make something pleasing and acceptable seems to be strengthened by Jesus’ additional comment recorded in Mark: “Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50). Here we are to be “palatable” and thus acceptable to each other and at peace.
Understood in this natural way, Christ’s words that His disciples are the salt of the earth mean that they represent humankind to God in a pleasing manner – making the world “palatable” to Him, as it were. As the light, His disciples represent God to humanity through good deeds. The expressions thus encompass in only a few words the roles and responsibilities of discipleship as it relates to God and man. Representing humanity to God and God to humanity might seem like huge responsibilities, and they are, yet we can be encouraged. Jesus does not say to His disciples “Strive to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” He says “You are the salt and the light.” We can always strive to better serve in these ways – and hopefully we will – but if we are His disciples, if we have not lost our spiritual “flavor” and we have the good deeds that are part of our calling, we can rejoice that we have the privilege to function as salt and light in God’s plan.
