BellissiWarriors

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”  “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it. (Luke 19:41)

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

I am gentle and humble in heart. (Matthew 11:29)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me. (John 2:17)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. (1 Peter 2:22)

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. (John 14:27)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. (Matthew 12:14)

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
1 Peter 2:23

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

Scripture references: John 12:13; Matthew 5:3-11

The other evening my family was finishing kitchen clean up when I remembered that bread still needed to be made. Technically this isn’t a necessity, but I have a mostly neglected sourdough starter called George that needed attention I couldn’t give. So my husband mixed up and kneaded the dough while I sat on the sofa. 

The next morning, I took a bite from that fresh loaf. Then I turned to my husband and asked, “Did you put salt in the bread?” He thought for a minute and said, “You know, I don’t think I did.”

The bread is fine – I’m still going to toast a piece of it every morning – but it lacks flavor. And with every slice of that saltless bread, I think of Jesus saying, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?” (Matthew 5:13). 

Salt is distinctive – you know when it’s there, and it’s conspicuous by its absence. It’s always been tasty, but in ancient times it was vitally important because of its ability to preserve food and its usefulness in preventing decay. Salt was so essential that some people were paid in salt (as a matter of fact, sal is the root word for salary). 

So what are we to make of Jesus telling His followers they’re the salt of the earth? 

I think it means we’re essential. Bread is meant to have salt. Believers have a unique and essential role to play in the preservation and restoration of the world. But if the salt of the earth ceases to be salty – if it ceases to be what it was made to be – the world will lose its flavor for God. 

But salt that’s salty? It shows the greatness of God’s way of doing things by fully embracing His way of looking at things. Things are not what they seem. You’re blessed when you’re poor. You’re blessed when you mourn. You’re blessed when you don’t let your circumstances keep you from showing mercy, pursuing purity, and working through conflict. You’re blessed when you affirm that following God is worth whatever it costs (Matthew 5:3-12). Those who believe this add salt to the earth – salt that seasons, heals and preserves a world that’s hurting, grieving, and hungry. 

Salt without saltiness is pointless. But salt that’s fully active is singular and transformative. And incredibly precious to God.

Be salty.