The Salt of the Earth – Messianic Teaching

In this insightful Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, the speaker, Matthew Vander Els, delves into the profound meaning of Yeshua’s (Jesus’s) words in Matthew 5:13-16: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” The teaching explores the multifaceted implications of these metaphors for believers and their role in the world today. It emphasizes that being a follower of Yeshua is not a passive existence but an active calling to impact the world around them for the better.

The message begins by acknowledging the darkness and anxiety present in the world. Referencing a personal experience of officiating funerals and the broader impact of loss, the speaker poses the question of why there is so much darkness despite the presence of believers. The answer, he suggests, lies in the active role believers are called to play: to be the “Jesus in the world.” Drawing on Paul’s description of believers as ambassadors of Christ, the teaching clarifies that the goal is not merely to escape the world to go to heaven, but rather to bring heaven to earth. This echoes Yeshua’s own teachings and life.

The speaker cautions that just as individuals can be ambassadors of heaven, they can also, through their actions, become sources of negativity and harm, even becoming “ambassadors of hell on earth.” The power of the tongue, as highlighted in James 3, is cited as an example of how gossip and negative speech can spread negativity. The speaker also references Matthew 23, where Yeshua critiques the Pharisees for leading their disciples astray.

Shifting focus to the Sermon on the Mount, the teaching highlights its significance as a “better application of Torah” delivered by Yeshua, the “greater Moses.” This teaching provides a way to live out the Torah that prioritizes love, relationships, and fellowship. The Beatitudes in Matthew 5 are presented as foundational principles for a blessed life, emphasizing qualities such as being poor in spirit, meek, and pursuing justice.

The challenging nature of the Sermon on the Mount is underscored, particularly the commands to not take offense, not hate in one’s heart, and to not respond with violence. The example of early believers in the Roman Empire, who chose prayer and forgiveness over retaliation despite persecution, illustrates the radical nature of these teachings. The speaker touches on different interpretations of the Sermon on the Mount throughout Christian history, including dispensational views that postpone its full application to a future kingdom. However, the teaching aligns with the Anabaptist tradition, emphasizing the full applicability of the Sermon on the Mount today.

The concept of a “cruciform lifestyle” is introduced, where believers absorb offense and radiate grace, mirroring the cross of Yeshua. This means choosing not to retaliate in kind but to be a place where negativity stops and is transformed by God’s grace. This way of life is acknowledged as counter-cultural and often met with resistance from the world.

The teaching then delves into the metaphor of being the “salt of the earth.” Various interpretations are discussed, including salt as a preservative and a seasoning. However, a compelling argument is made for salt as fertilizer, drawing from historical uses in Judea, Rome, and China. The passage in Luke 14:34-35, which mentions salt being “fit neither for the soil nor the manure pile” if it loses its saltiness, supports this interpretation. Salt was used to help soil retain moisture, destroy weeds, make stubborn soils workable, and even prevent diseases in crops.

If believers are the salt of the soil in this context, it means they are called to stimulate growth in barren places and to be mixed into the “manure piles of the world” so that God can use them to bring forth new, virtuous life. This involves going to uncomfortable places, engaging with those on the margins of society, and providing the spiritual nutrients needed for life to flourish. Examples provided include foreign missions, foster parenting, and simply reaching out to individuals within the local fellowship. The story of Ben Cohen’s efforts to enlist volunteers to support foster families is used as a practical illustration.

The teaching emphasizes moving toward the broken, not away from them, so they can encounter God’s presence and be set free to become the new creation they are called to be. Two powerful historical examples are shared to illustrate this principle: Telemachus, the Christian monk who disrupted gladiatorial games in Rome and ultimately led to their abolishment, and Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese diplomat who risked his career to issue transit visas to Jewish refugees during World War II. Both individuals acted boldly, driven by their faith, to intervene in situations of darkness and bring life and hope.

The speaker underscores that these acts, seemingly small at the time, had profound and lasting impacts. The call is for every believer to identify their “something”—their unique way of shining light and being salt in the world. This involves living out the way of the cross, starting with the principles of the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. By embracing this cruciform life, opportunities to make a difference will naturally arise.

The teaching concludes with an invitation to prayer and a reminder that even in times of personal struggle, believers are called to be active agents of God’s love and light in the world.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Be Present with the Marginalized: Intentionally reach out to those who are often excluded or overlooked in society, mirroring Yeshua’s example of fellowship with tax collectors, prostitutes, the sick, and the disabled.
• Absorb Offense, Extend Grace: Practice the “cruciform life” by choosing not to retaliate when wronged but instead offering forgiveness, understanding, and grace.
• Speak Truth Through Love: When sharing truth, do so with compassion and a genuine desire to uplift others, avoiding gossip or speaking down to others.
• Actively Seek Opportunities to Serve: Look for practical ways to meet the needs of others in your community, whether through formal volunteering or individual acts of kindness. Consider supporting initiatives like foster care or GED programs for those re-entering society.
• Be a Source of Growth and Life: In your interactions, aim to encourage, uplift, and inspire those around you, contributing to a positive and nurturing environment.
• Prioritize God’s Kingdom Over Worldly Approval: Be willing to stand for what is right, even if it means facing criticism or opposition from the world.
• Recognize Small Acts of Impact: Understand that even seemingly insignificant actions done in faith can have far-reaching and positive consequences.
• Embrace the Teachings of the Sermon on the Mount: Diligently study and strive to live out the challenging principles presented by Yeshua in Matthew 5-7.
• Be Prayerful and Engaged: Combine prayer with active engagement in the world, recognizing the need for both spiritual grounding and practical action.
• Live as an Ambassador of Heaven: Consciously represent the values and love of God in your daily life, striving to bring a touch of heaven to every situation.

References:

• Matthew 5:1-16 biblehub.com
• Matthew 7 biblehub.com
• Luke 14:34-35 biblehub.com
• James 3 biblehub.com