February 6, 2023

Matthew 5:13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that  brings out the God-flavors of this earth. (The Message Bible)

Remembering that the Message Bible is a paraphrase and not a word for word translation, I like this phrasing of the well known “You are the salt of the earth.” I wonder what Peterson was thinking by using the phrase “Let me tell you why you are here.” In the context of the sermon on the Mount it could be “let me tell you disciples why I have brought you to this hill to hear my teaching.” But my guess is that Peterson was thinking of us, 21^st century folks, as we read these words and wonder what my purpose in life might be. I know some older people who have lost their physical capacities and wonder why they are still around. It can be hard to live with such loss and sometimes pain that accompanies it. Still we all have the opportunity to affirm the goodness of life as God made it and to pass on the well-seasoned love of God to those around us. In Colossians 4:6 Paul writes, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” You have countless opportunities to use your words “to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth” no matter your age, health, economic status or social standing. Maybe that is why you are here.