Salt of the Earth

I remember watching my old-time favorite’s actor, Malaysia's most famous entertainer no other than late Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh a.k.a. Tan Sri Dr. P. Ramlee in his drama-comedy movie Ahmad Albab. I would like to highlight on the scene where Shawal (P.Ramlee) presented a gifts to his father-in-law, Mashood (acted by late AR Tompel), during his birthday.

At first, Syawal presents a packet of salt and a packet of sugar to his father-in-law. ‘What is this? Cheap presents!’ yelled Mashood. Then Mastura (acted by Saloma), Shawal’s wife explains that it represents their love for him. Mashood is angered by this, saying that love should be like jewels and gold. Then Mastura presents to her father meal she'd cooked for him. Mashood attempts to eat it but the food tastes bad, as it has been cooked without salt. Mastura explains that this is the meaning behind their present, for although salt is simple things, without it even the most delicious dish tastes bad.

Don’t you think that this scene is funny yet meaningful? Recently I read an article from IFES Praise & Prayer. I quote ‘Salt is brilliantly useful to give flavor, stop rot and even clear icy roads. But if the salt isn't there, or if nobody remembers how to use it what good can it do?’ John Stott once said: 'You can't blame meat for going rotten, that's what meat does. But you can blame salt for not being there!'

Jesus called out Christian to be the salt of the earth. If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. Life Application Study Bible comments: If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless… we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best in food. As Mastura concluded it, “Although salt is simple things, without it even the most delicious dish tastes bad.”

"Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose you saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage." (The Message by Eugene H. Peterson)

Remember: THINK BIG be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. START SMALL by affect others positively in your daily life. GO DEEP Jesus called you to be the salt of the earth.

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