Proper 21
Mark
9:50
27 September
2015
Mark 9:50
“Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalted, with what will you make it salty {again} Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one
another.”
Lord, thank You for Your work through the lives of others. Lead me to
welcome those miracles and mercies that You show through every one of Your
people. Give us the lasting faith that can persevere through every trial. Empty
our heads of anything that competes with You, and let us hold firmly to You
eternally.
When a person is
hospitalized. Often the patient will
receive notice that they have been placed on a
bland diet. Flat, tasteless food. Chow, which
is dull, dull, and dull. Where would a pizza be without
Oregano? Any master chef knows that the right amount of herbs and spices makes
a dish come alive and flourish. Jesus tells us
that the Christian, living his/her life for Christ becomes the salt of this
earth.
The Savior concludes His
instruction to His disciples. Comparing them to salt. He issues a call to radical obedience. Rather
than to make accommodation to the world. So, how is the Christian to rise above
the trappings of this world? How does the follower of Christ impact, affect,
and influence his community? His workplace? The world? Where do we find Christ?
And where is His influence to be found?
We find the story of Jesus in
particular in the sacred words of Scripture. This tells us specifically of His
person and work. Christ transforms and changes the lives of people. This is
what influences our culture. And the world in which we live.
What the Church professes is
different then what the world holds as truth. We have a distinct value system.
– Something different from the world. Christians are to be as salty
saints because like salt.
They purify society. They preserve society. They season society.
They purify society.
Think where the world would be
without Christ’s light? Jesus cautioned His audience, however, against
losing that which they had received from Him, which was what had brought on
them their goodness. Without the Gospel, without the message of the cross, the
church becomes just another human organization.
The Gospel, however, shining
in the world brings good and makes this world better. Jesus said that the
disciples were like salt, for they exercised the valuable functions of
seasoning and purifying the world, and this is good.
Salt is good. The influence of Christ changes the
world. His influence
still affects the world.
Therefore, have salt in yourselves. Make the impact that only you can
make. There are folk that only you can reach. Only you can touch. This is your personal mission
field. Look around you! The harvest is
ready it is “white unto harvest.” The time of salvation is now!
Let the Light of
Christ impact, affect, and influence those around you. Jesus said: “so let your
light so shine among men that they may see your good works and give glory
to your Father in heaven” {Matthew 5:16} When that light shines. The darkness of sin and error is dispelled. And the truth of the God shines
forth in purity getting brighter day-by-day.
As Salty Saints Christians
- they preserve society.
The Word will keep the world
safe. The news reports, “There’s been another shooting! Another random act of
violence. And people ask,”What is this
world coming to?” Some respond, “It’s the Devil. He’s alive and well. And there’s no getting out it this mess!” But the Scriptures remind us, “Greater is He that is in you then he who is
in this world.” Christ has conquered. The gospel wins the day. We are
more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.
The Word will keep the world
saved. The Lord has promise to preserve you. You are salt. Salt
preserves. His purpose is to guard and keep you. He will never let you go. His
desire is to keep you in this one, true faith. As He ransomed and redeemed the
world. He will keep those who are His safe. Never easy. But always preserved. Because you are in Him.
Jesus
instructs us. ”Be
at peace with each other.” Be at
peace! Because God is at peace.
He is at peace. Because Jesus Christ, the
Prince of peace, has become your peace. He
comes into this world. To give us the Father’s peace.
Jesus Christ, through His innocent suffering and death has
become your peace. He took your misery and sin. By His chastisement, you are
made whole. This is the gospel story. In Jesus Christ, all sin is forgiven –
period!
They season society.
There are talents, gifts,
blessings that God our heavenly Father has given to His Church to make a
difference. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men that they may see
your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Will you use your
gift for the Savior? Recall the cleaning service, “Service Master”.
Their mission is simple yet profound –in their work; they give service to the
Master.
Where you live and serve is
your opportunity to be a blessing and to make the world better. The big difference
– the last phrase – and live at peace
with one another. Jesus told His hearers were to be at peace with each other. What they
would need for this purpose is to have in themselves -‘salt’; that is to say,
they needed love for their neighbors, and a readiness to serve them, and to be
ready to make sacrifices for their sake.
As a Christian, you are salt
and light in this world. Through the power of the gospel the message of Jesus
Christ and Him crucified you are purifying, preserving and giving season and
spice to life in this world.
His peace will guide you. Jesus simply said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not
as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor
let it be fearful.” {John 14:27}
Knowing of His peace, we receive from Him what this world simply cannot
give. We rest in His peace. We live according to His
amazing mercy and grace.
The Christian’s
diet is far from bland. What is given to you is to be that salt which gives us a zest
for life. It is found in knowing Jesus. Bloom where you are planted. Make each day count for Jesus. For you have been called by Jesus - to be salt and
light for Christ.
_________
Words – 1,111
Passive Sentences -8%
Readability –85.1%
Reading Level -3.6
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