Just what does it mean when Jesus said “You are the salt of the earth.” That phrase doesn’t have much meaning for us today but it was very clear to those who lived 2,000 years ago. About the only thing we hear about salt today is that we are getting too much of it in our diets. Too much salt can result in high blood pressure which can lead to heart attacks or strokes. So, was Jesus condemning us by saying we are the salt of the earth?

Salt back in Jesus’ day was a very scarce and valuable commodity. Among other things it was used for preserving meat. If you didn’t have salt your life was much more challenging. So, to say that you are the salt of the earth meant that you were very valuable and much needed. These words are a short distance past the Beatitudes. It is important for us to always realize that some things in the bible just don’t mean the same thing today as they meant back then. This, in my opinion, includes some of the sexist comments made by Paul about women being quiet in church. Women were definitely thought to be inferior to men in Christ’s day. But, that does not mean that it is meant for all times. Indeed, Jesus by his actions showed that he didn’t believe it either.