What's the Number 1 Snack for the Super Bowl?

If You Guessed Potato Chips you would be correct!

With the big game just days away, plenty of people are stocking up on snacks, and according to my very unofficial research, the undisputed champion is… potato chips.

Do you have a favorite? Classic Lay’s? Wavy? Barbecue? Sour cream and onion? I learned there are more than 380 varieties of Lay’s. That’s a lot of chips.... and salt.

When Jesus wanted to show us the kind of influence our faith is meant to have in the world, He chose two simple images: salt and light.

Let’s talk about salt. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus doesn’t say you might be salt or you could be salt. He says, “You ARE the salt of the earth.” As followers of Jesus, this is our identity — not a suggestion, but a calling. Our community needs that kind of saltiness right now.

Why salt? Think about what salt does:

1) Salt brings out flavor
Salt makes sweet things sweeter and bland things better. It adds zest.    In the same way, Jesus calls us to bring joy, hope, and encouragement into the places we go. Our words and our faith remind people that God sees them, loves them, and hasn’t lost control of their story.

2) Salt preserves what’s good
In Jesus’ day, salt kept meat from decaying. Without refrigeration, it slowed the rot.  Our influence is meant to do the same — to push back against the moral and spiritual decay around us. Sometimes that looks like speaking life instead of criticism, choosing mercy instead of judgment, or standing for what’s right even when it’s unpopular.

But here’s the key: for salt to work, it has to be different from what it touches.  
That’s why Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes matters so much. Christ-followers are marked by humility, mercy, purity, peace, and perseverance. We grieve over brokenness instead of celebrating it. We extend grace because we’ve received grace. We pursue peace in our homes, workplaces, and communities. And yes — sometimes we face push back for doing what’s right.

So here’s the question:  Where is Jesus calling you to be salty this week?  
What conversations need your hope-filled influence?     What situations need your steady, preserving presence?

Jesus said YOU ARE the salt of the earth.   So be like those potato chips — bring flavor, joy, and life everywhere He sends you.

See you Sunday!
Pastor Mike 

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