Have you ever considered the power of Jesus’ simple statement, "You are the salt of the earth"? (Matthew 5:13) No matter how you say it, that statement shakes you to your boots. Try it on for size.

"You are the salt of the earth." Me? Isn’t it astounding to hear Jesus say that you and I are the salt of the earth? Surely he must have meant a special group of people. He couldn’t have been talking to us, could he? The words are from the Sermon on the Mount, spoken in some ways peculiarly to his disciples gathered before him, but through them and in them, he also addresses his church. If you are part of the church, the words are directed to you. It draws one up short to hear Jesus say, "You are the salt of the earth."

Try hearing it this way, though, and perhaps you will find yourself even m…