Sermon
Mark 9:38-50
Salty Believers
This is not the first time that Jesus had used the metaphor of salt when he was describing a faithful disciple. In Matthew 5:13, he said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.”
In the ancient world salt was a valuable and scarce commodity. Since people back then did not have refrigerators or ice cube makers salt was necessary to preserve food. With salt they preserved vegetables and fish. When they had new babies, they would wash the new babies in salt water for medicinal purposes. Salt water would help preserve the baby’s life. It was said that a man’s life was as valuable as a bag of salt.
The implication is that just as food is bland without salt, the believer is ineffective without seasoning. A seasoned disciple can make a difference, whereas those without seasoning are of no use to anyone. So, what does it mean to be a seasoned disciple or salty believer?
Legend has it that a missionary was swept overboard while traveling on very high and rough seas, and was subsequently washed up on a beach at the edge of a remote village. Nearly dead from exposure and lack of food and fresh water, he was found by the people of the village and nursed back to health. He lived among them for twenty years, quietly adapting to their culture and working alongside them. He preached no sermons, and made no personal faith claim. Neither did he read scripture to them.
But, when people were sick, he sat with them, sometimes all night. When people were hungry, he fed them. When people were lonely, he gave a listening ear. He taught the ignorant and always took the side of the one who had been wronged.
The day came when some missionaries entered the same village and began talking to the people about a man named Jesus. After listening for awhile to their story, the native people began insisting that Jesus had already been living in their village for many years. “Come,” one of them said, “We’ll introduce you to him.” The missionaries were led to a hut where they found their long-lost companion.
For me, this story describes what it means to be a “salty believer.”
First, the missionary adapted to the culture in which he ended up in. Rather than attempt to impose his agenda on others, he settled in his new circumstances. He did not preach or attempt to persuade anyone to his faith tradition. He respected their beliefs and never considered himself better than the community he became part of.
Currently, the adult Sunday School Class at St. Paul’s is studying world religions. Since we live in a society that is becoming more diverse it is becoming essential that we get to know and understand people who have a religious background that is unlike our own. What the class is discovering is that we are defined by our traditions and culture. What is basic however is that all of us are human beings and the love ethic is at the core of most every faith.
Secondly, the missionary worked along side of the people who took him in. In other words, he got involved. He had compassion for the sick, helped those with needs, such as feeding the hungry and attended to those who were lonely. He tutored those who needed an education and he was an advocate for the underdog.
Some people thought Les Goldberg was crazy when he dashed in his personal investments to buy a home to lease to the homeless. For twenty years he ran his own fire sprinkler business. Goldberg, a retired engineer, felt it was the only decision he could make. Since he retired, Goldberg has been a busy volunteer, serving on six service boards and leading a crew of homeless people to do odd jobs and charity work. He spends many hours a day with his homeless friends and has helped them to renovate properties.
In all his efforts, Goldberg never regarded the homeless as irresponsible or unreliable. He only saw them as people. He believed the house he purchased could be used as both a temporary shelter and drop in center, a place where the homeless could pick up mail, make phone calls, follow up on job leads and receive donated articles. Goldberg worked alongside the homeless, meeting their needs and being part of their lives just as the missionary worked alongside the people in his culture.
Third, the missionary and Goldberg were committed and had passion for the faith. The villagers had experienced the love of Christ in their midst. There was no need for the newly arrived missionaries to tell them about Jesus, they had already met him. In his biography, Bertrand Russell wrote about his three passions in life. They were: the longing for love, the search for knowledge and attending to the unbearable sufferings of humankind.
For me to be a “salty believer” is to be one who is passionate about their faith. When we have a passion for something it takes priority in our lives. We invest our energy and resources because we are determined to make a difference.
We seem to be living in a time when people aren’t passionate about their faith. We resist learning new things for fear of changing. We are more passionate about surviving than we are about taking risks or being creative. We are willing to be disciples as long as it is convenient or doesn’t involve the rearranging of our personal agendas. Instead of being the “salt of the earth” we have become nothing more than little white grains of sand. About the best we can offer is to be a place where people can play beach volleyball.
Recently I went to watch my grandchildren play soccer. I was amazed at the hundreds of people who had gathered for the evening soccer games. There were ten games being played simultaneously. We didn’t have soccer when I was a child or youth and I was astounded how much soccer has become a part of our culture.
As I was looking over the crowds of people and the enthusiasm of children and parents I wondered why so many people are so passionate about kicking a ball back and forth a grassy field. Why can’t the church muster that kind of passion? What is it about soccer that is so attractive?
Before the games began we stood silently while they played the National Anthem. No one sang a note. There was a boom box about 100 yards away and you could barely hear the music. As a people we seem to have lost our passion for singing. I watched with a critical eye trying to determine what is so exciting about soccer. Some of the kids looked tired from running around and many seemed only half interested in the game. Meanwhile parents would shout words of encouragement when their child did something right. They also made sighs of disappointment when they missed opportunities to make the big play. Parents were chatting on the sidelines and younger children were playing with their friends.
But why are they so passionate about soccer? At the end of the game the kids were given treats; candy, sodas and ice cream. Maybe that’s it; sugar! Could it be that we have replaced sugar for salt in our faith? Are we more inclined to be sweet, nice people instead of committed servants?
“Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another,” Jesus said. Get to know your neighbors and those in your community who are different than you. Get involved, using your talents and resources to help those who have need. Be passionate about your faith, learning and loving with all your heart, mind and strength.
Copyright 2009 Keith Wagner. Used by permission.