“Jesus calls out the very best in his disciples before they have demonstrated anything. And he does the same for you. . . . It’s easy to fixate on our gaps and failures, but Jesus looks at his followers and essentially says, ‘You have more to offer than you think because you are much more than you imagine.’ “- Rich Villodas
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”- Matthew 5:13 (NIV)
In Chapter 4 (“Our Witness”) of The Narrow Path, Rich Villodas underscores that God sees more in us than we see in ourselves. So, at the very start of the disciples’ journey with Jesus, Jesus calls out the very best in them. Although they’ve yet to demonstrate anything, Jesus doesn’t say that the disciples:
- will be salt and light when He’s finished teaching them.
- must be salt and light.
Thus, Jesus aims His affirmation at his ordinary, unimpressive, and overlooked team. A religious version, Rich quips, of the Bad News Bears.
So, Jesus uses the important metaphor of salt to draw out two implications.
1. Salt seasons. Salt brings out the flavors in food, making food tastier and more enjoyable. Just as the right amount of salt highlights the best in a meal, our very presence needs to draw out the best in others. However, if we under-season, we distance ourselves from the world. And when we over-season, we try to dominate the world.
2. Salt sustains. People once used salt to preserve food from decay and corruption. In the days before refrigerators and freezers. Consequently, Jesus assigns us, as His disciples, to presence in the world. As salt, we combat the decay of a broken world with our presence. Jesus calls us to preserve the good that exists.
Today’s question: How do you respond when Jesus calls out the very best in you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Project either shadow or light”