Matthew 5:1-20

We are the salt of the earth.

I just ate popcorn today. I hate popcorn without salt, so I made sure I doused the popcorn with it. Why? Because without salt, popcorn is just bland.

So what is salt being compared to here? Passion?

Jesus came to fulfill the law. His teachings didn't void out the Old Testament law. Instead He focused on the heart. The attitude we need to have behind keeping the laws.

"Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." -Matt 5:19

What is the "these" referring to here? Which commandments? The ones at the beginning of the chapter that say, "Blessed are the ____"? The Old Testament laws? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself? The commandments He's about to tell the people in the next few verses?