Children’s Sermon

Mark 9:38-50

Adding Flavor

By Lois Parker Edstrom

OBJECTS SUGGESTED:

Salt

Salt is so common that we hardly think about it, yet much of what we eat is flavored with salt. When you cook, if you forget to add salt to eggs, potatoes, or oatmeal, you will definitely notice a difference. Salt is also added to many foods we buy in the grocery store and in foods we eat in restaurants.

Although salt seems like an ordinary thing, it is extremely important. People and animals must have salt in their diets to be healthy – it helps regulate fluid levels in our bodies. Salt is also used to preserve vegetables, meat, and fish.

Salt is so important that years ago it was used as money. People bartered and traded with salt and Roman soldiers were given salt as a part of their pay.

Jesus said, “Salt is good… Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (9:50).

We can think of Jesus using the word salt to describe the spirit of friendship. Friendship is God’s spirit of love that seasons our lives, just as salt adds flavor to food.

Having a spirit of friendship is important to our health, just as our bodies need to have salt. God’s spirit of love and friendship is something we must have to lead a good life. Jesus says, “Have salt (friendship) in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (9:50). Be a friend. It will add flavor to your life.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2007, Richard Niell Donovan