Christians with a Tang- Luke 14:25-35
Tang, initially I not very sure it means, but after checking the dictionary as I believe the word have its applicable meaning. Indeed it is, from the dictionary, the meaning of tang is strong taste or smell; the very appropriate word to use for the topic item, salt. Salt, something we know in life, a seasoning, and a word that embeds many mystery of life as salt is being used in NT.
There are nine ingredients of salt that are evident as I read the book. I will briefly, due to my laziness, summarise all nine. Firstly we have to recognise that life comes from Christ himself. There are many ways to see this fact, but from the way I personally interpret, one knows that Christ is the way to our Heavenly Father, the place to eternity. Salt in life, is an essential mineral. I shall not elaborate too much too spoilt the joy of seeking the full meaning of salt, the salt that brings life.
Secondly, salt can penetrates. Salt can penetrate through membrane. Too, we know, salt is added to food before it is cooked and after. If salt is added after, we will only taste the salt first and not the food. If salt is added before, the salt will penetrate the food, and the result is not longer the taste of salt but the favour of salt-penetrated food.
Thirdly, the cross is the power of salty tang. The cross itself is already very self-explanatory. Oppss…hehe I am just a bit lazy! Salt have to “die” = disappear to allow its target to be favoured.
Fourthly, as a tangy Christian is one who is unreservedly dependent on Christ’s resources to meet Christ’s challenges, as salt is unreservedly dependent on its source, to meets its challenge. Salt, as we know, comes from the sea, and only after vaporisation of the water, then the salt will remain. The source, heat energy from sun energy, the sun is what we can said to be created by God. As for what challenges come awaits the salt, many mystery are waiting out there
Fifthly, a salty saint is a source of courage in life’s battles. Salt is a mineral that is contained in the isotonic drinks, essential and source of energy for a person preparing for a challenge. Similarly, this can be applied to the salt of our life.
Sixth, the people who are the salt of the earth are no longer possessed by their possession. As salt originate from the sea, a salt is surround by water molecules to be solvated in the sea water. Solvated = surrounded, to be integrated with the water. But when one becomes the salt of the earth, the water must leave the all-round blockage and leave the salt, not possessed by the water. Hope you are able to see what does the salt and water molecules role as related to life.
Seventh, the salt of the earth is replenishable. What is the earth made up of, rock; what is the rock made up of, mineral salt; as salt is lost to flowing water, salt is too deposited from the waves on the sea. This is related to the eight point which is we are constantly refilled with discernment and wisdom beyond our own ability. We know when the salt is lost, but does not really know where the salt that was replenished came from. All I know is The Lord is the source, the mediator of it. He knows and directs things far more profound that what I could comprehend and understand and do.
Lastly, once coupled with enthusiasm is humour. Taking Lord seriously, so we don’t have to take ourselves and life so seriously. All nine ingredients of salt, of being from the Lord’s flavour, seasoning and zest, let them be evident in us. The quality and quantity of our humour reflects how serious our life, a life that God already planned it well……so lets enjoy it as we serve God joyfully and in us, the salt of God be there.
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