Releasing the Flavor

“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” Mark 9:50

Sometimes I try to imagine what it would have been like to be in Jesus’ inner circle. There were times when he pulled away from the crowds because he wanted to spend more time with His disciples and teach them. In Mark 9:35 Jesus assumed the posture of a teacher as He sat down and called the twelve disciples over to him.

“You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves,” he says. Jesus had their attention, for they were all familiar with the common properties of salt and its usefulness in their society. There are few things we can learn about being Christ-followers from this common seasoning.  

1. Salt is a preservative. Christ-followers have the privilege and responsibility of preserving their culture from moral decay. 

2, Salt never changes. You can dissolve it in water and it will still be salty. You can then boil the water away and the salt crystals will be left behind. As Christ-followers, we can be steadfast through life’s trials and triumphs because we know we serve a God who never changes.

3. Salt releases flavor. Most people assume salt adds flavor to food. But what really happens is the releasing of flavor by breaking the cell walls in vegetables, fruits and meats. As the cells break down, this process releases the unique aroma and flavor in food. Christ-followers bring out the best in those around them. They encourage others to release their unique aroma and flavor into the world. We are not here to be the center of attention; we are here to break down walls and lift up others.

On a final note, remember that too much salt can ruin everything. We need to salt our world carefully by remaining rooted and grounded in the Word of God.