Do We Make People "Thirsty"?
October 1, 2001
by Ruth Bell Graham
In a country whose leaders denied the existence of God but allowed the Church to exist under a secretary for church affairs, the secretary was not only a pastor but a medical doctor as well.
One day he was called before the authorities. Knowing that there would be a new crackdown on Christians, he said, "I know you wish to interrogate me, but, first, may I say something?"
Permission granted, the doctor continued, "You know that I am a medical doctor. I know the importance of salt in the human body: it needs to be about 2 percent of the body weight. If it becomes less or is absent, a person may become ill or even die.
"Jesus Christ said that Christians are the 'salt of the earth.'(1)" Then the doctor paused. "That is all. And now, gentlemen, what is it that you wish to say to me?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing," they answered and dismissed him.
In Numbers 18:19 the Bible refers to a "covenant of salt."(2) The Greeks have a saying, "Trespass not against the salt and the board." An Arab saying goes, "There is salt between us." A modern Persian phrase is "untrue to salt," which means to be disloyal or ungrateful.
Salt is indispensable to the health of people and of livestock. Salt also is a preservative and a seasoning, as well as brine in refrigeration.
But another fact about salt is that salt makes a person thirsty.
Do we Christians, as the "salt of the earth,"(1) make people thirsty for the Water of Life?
PRIVACY
