"The Dead "C"

"The Dead "C"

- Luke 2:49b -

"I must be about my Father’s business?"

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Being dead is not good. It’s not good for you and it’s certainly not good for anyone else. Being alive is much better...agree, I thought so. Yea, I know some say "isn’t it better to be dead and out of this sin cursed world and be with Jesus". Sure it is. But you know what??? God needs you here on earth for the moment to get all His children we can saved and on their way to heaven. So, it’s time to get busy.

As I was listening to Christian radio the other week, they were talking about the Dead Sea over in Israel. And the Holy Spirit dropped another message title my way ("See, Sea, C" above). So, right away I began my search data on the Dead Sea. But using the wit Divinely bestowed upon me, the title "The Dead "C" came to me. And the "C" stands for "Christian", so wella,..."The Dead Christian ("C"). Now the data with the spiritual comparison.

Dead Sea Facts

· The lowest point on earth, 400 m below sea level. The lowest point in a Christian’s life is to be a dead one. Lifeless, no joy, no impact on family, friends or factory. To have the answer to their issues. To give hope to the hopeless and keep shut. To share the greatest love of all, the love of God.

· No form of life has been able to exist in its salty waters. The Dead Sea has the highest salt content of all seas’ waters. We are to be as the Word says, "The salt of the earth". But the salt can’t stay in us, we need to go salt the earths people. Salt will make them "thirsty" for God and the things of God. "The salt is no good if it never leaves the salt shaker, it is only an decoration to the kitchen table. (Matthew 5:13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (or swam in, Dead Sea). In this verse taken from the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, Jesus deals with the Christians influence. A Christian that is merciful or is meek, or is a peacemaker, or that is pure in heart will have a tremendous influence in the lives of those who have not given their heart to God. He says we are salt. In ancient times salt was an absolute necessity of life. Because of its seasoning and preservative qualities was one of the most highly prized minerals. In many societies it was so highly valued that it was used for money. In fact English word salary is derived from the Latin word Salarium which refers to the payments made to a Roman soldier with salt. History tells us that Herod’s temple had a chamber of salt for ceremonial use of salt. As well back then in war times, whenever a city was defeated the custom was to throw salt through out the city. This mean that the city had been separated from its past. Elisha used salt to purify the water of Jericho (2 Kings 2:20). In days of old the normal procedures when a child was born was to be rubbed with salt (Ezek. 16:4). Salt was gathered in Palestine from along the seashore or inland lakes. In Bible times and till today salt is used for seasoning our food. Who likes to eat food without salt? Even though salt is so small and yet hardly noticeable it makes a difference when applied to the substance.

Salt was used to flavor the offerings and sacrifices (Lev. 2:13, Ez.43:24) “All who would present themselves “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God: (Rom 12:1), must receive the saving salt, the righteousness of our Saviour.”. In order for our lives to be a living sacrifice for God they must be preserved and seasoned with righteousness of Christ. It was also used to preserve food. They did not have the refrigeration systems that we have today.

What did Jesus mean by this statement "You are the Salt of the Earth"? It is the silent witness of the Christian believer. It is the influence and impact that you and I have over other people’s lives to season, and preserve for eternal life. Christ is saying let your influence season people’s life for the kingdom. Salt changes things; a little salt can change the flavor any thing. It takes our salt to flavor a life, a city, our family and workplace. We as Salt must "rub" against those who have no flavor, those who are perishing who will. Remember Lot’s wife she became a pillar of salt because she wanted to be part of the world. We are not pillars of salt we are the “Salt of the earth”. By the way, The Dead Sea contains 43 billion metric tons of salt. We contain as much as we want too...ouch!!!