Day 297 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 7:1-19; Psalm 109:1-20; Mark 9:42-10:12)
“Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:50 ESV)
Salt is meant to change the taste characteristics of its surroundings. But if the surroundings change the salt, the saltiness is gone.
Jesus is attempting to encourage His disciples to remain faithful in all circumstances. To not lose our saltiness means that we will live lives that impact the lives of others in a positive and peaceful manner. Jesus calls this being His witnesses.
St. Peter describes saltiness this way: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV) It is the proclamation of the Gospel that can lead to true peace for those who hear it and heed/believe it.
St. Paul changed the metaphor from salt to seed in his letter to the Christians living in Galatia: “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:8-10 ESV)
So let’s not grow weary of doing good and thereby lose our saltiness. Instead, may we remain faith-filled and faithful!
Lord Jesus, thank You for making me one of Your followers and for encouraging me to remain salty for You and for those You would reach through me. Help me to recognize opportunities today to spice things up for You. In Your saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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