Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Dere skal virke som salt på jorden, som bevarer verden fra forråtnelse. Men hvis saltet mister sin saltkraft, hvordan skal det da bli salt igjen? Da duger det bare til å bli kastet på bakken og bli tråkket på av menneskene. Dere er satt i verden for å bringe lys. En by som ligger på et fjell, lyser slik at den ikke kan skjules. Man tenner heller ikke en lampe og gjemmer den under noe, nei, man setter den fram, slik at den kan lyse for alle som er i rommet. På samme måte skal dere skinne for menneskene rundt dere. Når de ser de gode handlingene deres og hvor godhjertede og sjenerøse dere er, da vil de, på grunn av dere, takke Gud, Han som er deres Far i Himmelen.
What Does This Mean?
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus is speaking and comparing his followers to salt. He says that just as salt adds flavor and prevents spoilage, Christians should influence the world for good. However, if they lose their effectiveness or fail to live out their faith, they become useless.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing with your food at dinner and decide to sprinkle some salt on your veggies. The salt makes them taste better! But what if that salt lost its flavor? It would be like putting regular sand on your food – it wouldn't do any good anymore. Jesus is saying we should be like flavorful salt in the world, making things better.
Historical Background
Matthew wrote this passage around 80-90 AD for a primarily Jewish-Christian audience living under Roman rule. In that time, salt was highly valued as a preservative and flavor enhancer, symbolizing purity and preservation in religious rituals and daily life.
Living It Out Today
In today's context, imagine you're part of a team at work where everyone is feeling unmotivated or negative about projects. By being positive and encouraging others with your actions and words, you can influence the whole team to improve their performance and morale.
If a Christian loses their effectiveness, they fail to positively influence others and live out their faith. This means they may become ineffective in their witness for Christ.
How can Christians ensure they don't lose their flavor?
Christians can maintain their 'flavor' by staying connected with God through prayer, Bible study, and community, ensuring their actions reflect faithfulness and love.
What does it mean to be trodden under foot of men?
To be trodden under foot means to be disregarded or even mistreated by others. Jesus is suggesting that without effectiveness, Christians might face this fate as they fail to make a positive impact.
Can you give an example of how someone can be 'salt' in their community?
Someone being salt could involve volunteering at a food bank, mentoring youth, or showing kindness and forgiveness to neighbors, thereby positively influencing the community.