Thursday, May 4, 2023

 

Make Them Thirsty

May 4

You are the salt of the earth.

Matthew 5:13

Remembering how much the concession stand had cost him their last time out, Ron decided to try a different strategy for movie night. Looking in the rear-view mirror at his three boys, he said, “Ok, here are the rules for snacks tonight; one item each,” he stated, “be it candy or popcorn. And only one drink. No refills.”

He was unmoved by the concerted, “Awwwe, Dad!” His wife Erin hid her smile, trying not to let either her children or her well-intentioned husband discover her amusement at the attempt at snack suppression. After all, half the fun of going to the movies was stuffing yourself with Raisinetes, Goobers, and popcorn….then chasing it all down with a ‘Jumbo-Sized’ soft drink.

“I mean it,” Ron said. “The last time you boys about cleaned me out. Come to think of it,” he added, “if you get popcorn, nothing larger than a medium drink.”

“Scrooge,” Erin whispered.

“Not Scrooge, just smart,” Ron responded. “I’m not going to be lured into the cinema’s marketing ploy. You know darn well they salt the heck out of their popcorn just to sell you more pop.”

“I still say you’re a Scrooge,” she said, with her smile now on full display.

Salt, in Jesus’ day, as in ours, has many uses. Among them is the preservation of meat and fish. But in today’s scenario Ron understood the salt’s ability to create great thirst. He was trying to save himself some money by deterring that effect.

Jesus, on the other hand, was talking about creating a great thirst. He was giving the crowd information of great value, information which made them thirsty for more. Once thirsty this thirst could only be quenched with the gospel of Jesus Christ…the upcoming shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of the sin of mankind…true freedom!

We, like those present at the Sermon on the Mount, have the ability to be salt to those who don’t know Jesus. If we will study Jesus’ life, and make ourselves available, we can have the privilege of telling others about God’s Son, and what His blood can do.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, fill me with the knowledge of Your word that I might be able to create a thirst in those I encounter. Amen.”


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