Jesus said that we are “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef explores the value of salt, especially in the ancient world.
If you would like more insight into today’s devotional topic, watch or listen to Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Appropriating the Happiness That Is in You, Part 1: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW
What awaits the believer after this life? And how does our eternal future impact our lives today? In his new book Heaven Awaits, Dr. Michael Youssef dispels misconceptions about the believer’s eternal home and articulates the blessings, majesty, and reality of heaven as displayed in Scripture. As you dig into God’s promises for your future in Christ, you’ll be lifted up and empowered to persevere today with joy in your hope that will never disappoint. Request your copy today for your gift of any amount!
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[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the daily devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] The Way.
[00:00:08] The Importance of Salt by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:13] Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth.
[00:00:17] You see that in Matthew 5, 13.
[00:00:20] The value of salt, especially in the ancient world, cannot be underestimated.
[00:00:25] Roman soldiers received their wages in salt.
[00:00:28] The Greeks considered salt to be divine.
[00:00:31] The Mosaic Law required that all offerings presented by the Israelites contain salt.
[00:00:38] When Jesus told His disciples that they were the salt of the earth, they understood the
[00:00:43] metaphor.
[00:00:44] While the universal importance of salt is not as readily apparent in our modern world,
[00:00:49] the mandate that Jesus gave to His disciples is still relevant and applicable to His followers
[00:00:55] today.
[00:00:56] What are the characteristics of salt that cause the Lord to use it in this context?
[00:01:01] Theologians have different theories about what salt represented in Jesus' sermon.
[00:01:06] Some think that it is the white color representing the purity of the justified believer.
[00:01:12] Others say that the salt's flavoring properties imply that Christians are to add divine
[00:01:18] flavor to the world.
[00:01:21] Others still believe that Christians are to sting the world with rebuke and judgment the
[00:01:26] way salt stings an open wound.
[00:01:29] Another group asserts that as salt, Christians are to create a thirst for Christ.
[00:01:36] Salt however has another vital purpose, one which is probably what the Lord had in mind.
[00:01:42] Salt stops decay.
[00:01:45] When Jesus said, You are the salt of the earth, He meant that all His disciples were to serve
[00:01:51] as preservatives, stopping the moral decay of our sin-infected world.
[00:01:57] Let's pray together.
[00:02:00] Father, help us to remember that we should be a preservative in this world.
[00:02:05] We pray this in the name of Jesus.
[00:02:08] Amen.
[00:02:10] What awaits the believer after this life?
[00:02:13] And how does our eternal future impact our lives today?
[00:02:17] In his new book, Heaven Awaits, Dr. Michael Yusef dispels misconceptions about the believer's
[00:02:24] eternal home and articulates heaven's blessings, majesty, and the reality of heaven shared
[00:02:30] in Scripture.
[00:02:31] As you dig into God's promises and understand your eternal future in Christ, you will
[00:02:36] be empowered to persevere whatever you face today.
[00:02:40] Enter your copy today at LTW.org for your gift of any amount.
[00:02:46] Heaven Awaits.
[00:02:47] If today's devotional encouraged you, we'd love to hear about it.
[00:02:51] Leave a review and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.
[00:02:57] My devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Yusef.
[00:03:01] To learn more, visit LTW.org today.