In Matthew 5:13 Jesus said to a large crowd of his followers, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt looses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again…”
He continues to build upon this with the metaphor of light, saying that they were also the “light of the world” and concludes this thought in verse 16 saying, “In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven“.
Let me ask you something… When you are sitting on the couch watching some TV and eating your favorite snack food what do you soon go back to the kitchen for?
If you’re like me, you would go back for something to drink.
Even bar owners understand this relationship between salty food and thirst-quenching beverage, as they give away salty peanuts and salty pretzels. Is this because they are just such nice and thoughtful people? … probably not. – They are trying to stir up thirst for their product.
In conversation that Jesus was having with a Samaritan woman, Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. ” (John 4:13-14)
I believe that Jesus’ statement in John 4 is related to his instruction to his followers to be salt of the earth. By the way we – his followers – live, we should stir up thirst for Jesus in those around us. Then through Jesus their thirst can be satisfied.
When others get around you do they get thirsty? If not, there may be a problem.