11.2.14
Good morning!
Shabbat Shalom!
This morning is our final study on salt and the salt covenant and my last day in Kansas City. We have learned over the past several days that the covenant gives us the thought that when we trust our God and live His way – our part of the agreement – He will change our lives for the better, one where no judgment is needed – His part of the agreement. He can make life come out of the dead areas of our lives. He can turn an unsatisfying life into a tasty one. Where we were once alone, we can now communicate with the God of the universe. Instead of fear and anxiety, we can have peace/shalom.
This covenant of salt is all about who you are going to serve: God or Satan? Serve Satan and be judged, eventually die, and... Serve God, experience salvation (past, present and future), and taste His goodness both now and forever.
We've seen the salt/melach of Leviticus 2:23 is the same word for salt used in Matthew 5:13; where we are described as the salt of the earth. Most Christian commentaries accurately talk about salt as a preserving agent. As believers live for Yeshua, they slow down the decay of this planet (Matt. 24:21-22).
If we go back to Matthew 5, we will find that the immediate context of Jesus'/Yeshua's 'salt of the earth' statement is being persecuted for righteousness. He just got done telling those listening to Him on the mountainside they would be blessed over and over again if they followed Him. One of those blessing, strangely enough, was persecution (Matt. 5:10-12)! If one lives for Yeshua as “the salt of the earth”, one should expect to be insulted, persecuted and falsely accused. Yeshua is telling His followers the reality of following Him – the good, the bad and the ugly truth of it all.
He continues this line of thinking in Luke 14:34-35. In this passage, Yeshua also uses salt in the context of counting the cost of being His disciple. He tells those listening to Him that they must love Him more than their family and their very life itself. Then after talking about calculating the cost of building a tower and going to war, He states that once salt loses its saltiness, it’s not good for anything, even for fertilizer. It has no value whatsoever, so He tells His listeners to listen up. Living for Him will not be a walk in the park. It will cost them something; so think about it before they begin the journey.
In Mark 9:42-50, Yeshua moves past counting the cost to actually living for Him. Salt is now used in the context of living in such a way as to not stumble other believers; little ones who believe in Me to sin. He goes on to emphasize His point by saying, “If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.” Notice Yeshua changed the subject of the sentence from just anyone to you. Believers in Yeshua are to live in such a way that their lives will affect others in a positive manner.
After saying this, Yeshua then makes the statement 'everyone will be salted with fire.' Wow! Will you trust your God enough to live His way even during the trials of life? Jesus finishes his discourse in Mark 9 with this, 'Have salt (melach) in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.'
What’s the big deal about being at peace/shalom with each other? It’s a sign a believer trusts and is living for Yeshua in their everyday lives. Yeshua said there would be three distinguishing marks of those who call themselves His disciples. One, they would love each other (Jn. 13:34-35). Two, they would bear the fruit of a changed life (Jn. 15:1-8). And three, they would live in unity (Jn. 17:20-23). We are to be salted so others will know He is God! We are to trust our God enough to live His way seven days a week. When we do, the world will know we are His.
And guess what happens then? It’s the point of Yeshua's next statement in Matthew 5:14, “you are the light of the world.” A light doesn’t necessarily draw attention to itself. Its real purpose is to shine on something else so it can be seen. This is the context of His next statement, 'Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16).' As we live a salty life, one based upon trust, people will see Yeshua in us and hopefully want a relationship with Him (Deut.4:1-8).
This is what the Spirit had written in Colossians 4:6, 'Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so you know how to give an answer to everyone.' The context is sharing the vibrant, living gospel of Yeshua to a very 'intellect' only crowd. Paul told the Colossians to be wise in how they acted (trust in action) towards those who don’t know Yeshua so they could make the most of every opportunity to share their Yeshua story of how He had changed their lives.
How does this happen? It comes back to the point of Romans 12:1-2, which is the Covenant of Salt in action; brought on by the grafting into the Olive Tree (Rom. 11:11-32). As we offer our bodies as living sacrifices (salt was added) you are dying to self and living for God. How is this seen? Trusting God’s Word (basis of a covenant) and allowing Him to change your life on a daily basis (transformed by the renewing of your mind).
As you agree to worship Him through your every day actions, even when it costs you something or goes against your way of thinking, you’ll become salty, which will make people thirsty enough to ask, 'Where do you find your peace in the midst of tough times? How can you live the way you do when everyone else is doing the opposite?' Those who are the salt of the earth will automatically be the light of the world and will be ready to shine their light on Yeshua.
It is your choice. You gotta serve somebody (1 Kg.18:21; Matt. 6:24; Rom. 6:17-22; 1 Cor. 10:21,22; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Josh 24:15). Your actions will tell whether you are serving the God of Creation or the god of this world, Satan (2 Cor. 4:4). What do your actions say about you? As a believer in Yeshua, if you don’t serve on His behalf, your life will not only be unsatisfying, but it will also lose its meaning and purpose. You’ll become what He said happens to salt that is no longer salty, 'Trampled under the foot of men.' Why would anyone want to listen to you?
We are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice – choosing to trust God, rather than ourselves in our every day thoughts, attitudes, decisions, words and actions. We are to be salty, which in turn leads to being a light. On this Shabbat, when His mercies are new, when the wicked lamp is destroyed, the morning Tamid offering is presented, the Lamp is filled with oil, and the altar of incense is smoking, there's no better time to be salty lights!
Shabbat Shalom!
This morning is our final study on salt and the salt covenant and my last day in Kansas City. We have learned over the past several days that the covenant gives us the thought that when we trust our God and live His way – our part of the agreement – He will change our lives for the better, one where no judgment is needed – His part of the agreement. He can make life come out of the dead areas of our lives. He can turn an unsatisfying life into a tasty one. Where we were once alone, we can now communicate with the God of the universe. Instead of fear and anxiety, we can have peace/shalom.
This covenant of salt is all about who you are going to serve: God or Satan? Serve Satan and be judged, eventually die, and... Serve God, experience salvation (past, present and future), and taste His goodness both now and forever.
We've seen the salt/melach of Leviticus 2:23 is the same word for salt used in Matthew 5:13; where we are described as the salt of the earth. Most Christian commentaries accurately talk about salt as a preserving agent. As believers live for Yeshua, they slow down the decay of this planet (Matt. 24:21-22).
If we go back to Matthew 5, we will find that the immediate context of Jesus'/Yeshua's 'salt of the earth' statement is being persecuted for righteousness. He just got done telling those listening to Him on the mountainside they would be blessed over and over again if they followed Him. One of those blessing, strangely enough, was persecution (Matt. 5:10-12)! If one lives for Yeshua as “the salt of the earth”, one should expect to be insulted, persecuted and falsely accused. Yeshua is telling His followers the reality of following Him – the good, the bad and the ugly truth of it all.
He continues this line of thinking in Luke 14:34-35. In this passage, Yeshua also uses salt in the context of counting the cost of being His disciple. He tells those listening to Him that they must love Him more than their family and their very life itself. Then after talking about calculating the cost of building a tower and going to war, He states that once salt loses its saltiness, it’s not good for anything, even for fertilizer. It has no value whatsoever, so He tells His listeners to listen up. Living for Him will not be a walk in the park. It will cost them something; so think about it before they begin the journey.
In Mark 9:42-50, Yeshua moves past counting the cost to actually living for Him. Salt is now used in the context of living in such a way as to not stumble other believers; little ones who believe in Me to sin. He goes on to emphasize His point by saying, “If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.” Notice Yeshua changed the subject of the sentence from just anyone to you. Believers in Yeshua are to live in such a way that their lives will affect others in a positive manner.
After saying this, Yeshua then makes the statement 'everyone will be salted with fire.' Wow! Will you trust your God enough to live His way even during the trials of life? Jesus finishes his discourse in Mark 9 with this, 'Have salt (melach) in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.'
What’s the big deal about being at peace/shalom with each other? It’s a sign a believer trusts and is living for Yeshua in their everyday lives. Yeshua said there would be three distinguishing marks of those who call themselves His disciples. One, they would love each other (Jn. 13:34-35). Two, they would bear the fruit of a changed life (Jn. 15:1-8). And three, they would live in unity (Jn. 17:20-23). We are to be salted so others will know He is God! We are to trust our God enough to live His way seven days a week. When we do, the world will know we are His.
And guess what happens then? It’s the point of Yeshua's next statement in Matthew 5:14, “you are the light of the world.” A light doesn’t necessarily draw attention to itself. Its real purpose is to shine on something else so it can be seen. This is the context of His next statement, 'Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16).' As we live a salty life, one based upon trust, people will see Yeshua in us and hopefully want a relationship with Him (Deut.4:1-8).
This is what the Spirit had written in Colossians 4:6, 'Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so you know how to give an answer to everyone.' The context is sharing the vibrant, living gospel of Yeshua to a very 'intellect' only crowd. Paul told the Colossians to be wise in how they acted (trust in action) towards those who don’t know Yeshua so they could make the most of every opportunity to share their Yeshua story of how He had changed their lives.
How does this happen? It comes back to the point of Romans 12:1-2, which is the Covenant of Salt in action; brought on by the grafting into the Olive Tree (Rom. 11:11-32). As we offer our bodies as living sacrifices (salt was added) you are dying to self and living for God. How is this seen? Trusting God’s Word (basis of a covenant) and allowing Him to change your life on a daily basis (transformed by the renewing of your mind).
As you agree to worship Him through your every day actions, even when it costs you something or goes against your way of thinking, you’ll become salty, which will make people thirsty enough to ask, 'Where do you find your peace in the midst of tough times? How can you live the way you do when everyone else is doing the opposite?' Those who are the salt of the earth will automatically be the light of the world and will be ready to shine their light on Yeshua.
It is your choice. You gotta serve somebody (1 Kg.18:21; Matt. 6:24; Rom. 6:17-22; 1 Cor. 10:21,22; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Josh 24:15). Your actions will tell whether you are serving the God of Creation or the god of this world, Satan (2 Cor. 4:4). What do your actions say about you? As a believer in Yeshua, if you don’t serve on His behalf, your life will not only be unsatisfying, but it will also lose its meaning and purpose. You’ll become what He said happens to salt that is no longer salty, 'Trampled under the foot of men.' Why would anyone want to listen to you?
We are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice – choosing to trust God, rather than ourselves in our every day thoughts, attitudes, decisions, words and actions. We are to be salty, which in turn leads to being a light. On this Shabbat, when His mercies are new, when the wicked lamp is destroyed, the morning Tamid offering is presented, the Lamp is filled with oil, and the altar of incense is smoking, there's no better time to be salty lights!
Shabbat Shalom!
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