Matthew 5:13-16 | Salt Art | You are the salt of the earth

Matthew 5:13-16   You are the salt of the earth

Portrait of Christ, Salt Art by Rob Ferrel, Executed in 2016, Salt on wood table © Rob Ferell artist Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’   READ MORE     Reflection on the Salt Art work Jesus tells His disciples today that they are the ‘salt of the earth’. Why would He use those words? Salt was very valuable in the ancient world: the Greeks thought it contained something touching on the divine; and the Romans sometimes paid their soldiers with salt. The romans even said when a soldier didn't carry out his duties that ‘he was not worth his salt’. To me there are two reasons why Jesus used the salt-analogy for His disciples and also for us. Salt has two main qualities: it preserves and it flavours. Salt preserves and thus we are called as Christians to help preserve what is good in the culture; preserve nature, god’s creation surrounding us; preserve integrity, etc… Salt must be in contact though with meat or fish in order to preserve. So must we be in close contact with the culture that surrounds us in order to preserve the good that is present in that culture. Salt also flavours. As Christians, we can bring the distinctive flavouring of God's values to all we do in life. You can thus make life more tasty, more exciting, more colourful and joyful. Like with all that Jesus teaches us, our ‘salt’ is not only in the witness of the words we speak, but also in the witness of our deeds. In 2016 there was a rage to create art with table salt, so called ‘Salt Art’. The internet raged with the art trend. Our work here is by Mexican born artist Rob Ferrel (illustrated here with his work), who became one of the most prolific Salt Art artists. This art cannot be sold. It is made and when shared over the internet, it disappears again in a salt tin. Momentary art created in a fleeting moment, but perpetuated through the internet… Salt of the earth to create beautiful images and evangelise online… by Patrick van der Vorst