The disciples were arguing, not differing, but arguing among themselves about who was the greatest. Everyone wants to be seen, to be significant, to be important. In the next story section of Mark 9, Jesus says some rocking words, “Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.”
Salt, in the context would be Kingdom values, Kingdom lifestyles, living the presence of the Lord. And that is connected to peace!
Is it possible many or all of our conflicts (not disagreements) are the result of lack of saCould it be that spouses are at odds and living in anger because they are saltless? Could the values of the Kingdom of God do far more than change the world? Could they change our world? Could choosing to live the Kingdom values of dying to self and choosing the other, if lived in our homes, bring blessing between a husband and wife?
Maybe our conflict stems from the lack of salt! Maybe our anger and hurt somehow are connected to our not daily living out the call to lay down our lives, to see the other, to protect the other, and even protecting from our own words of frustration? If we could somehow choose to take the words of the Bible and move them into the thoughts and actions occurring between husbands and wives and parents and kids we may, just may, begin to experience the dream of God for our home written clearly, “the two shall become one!”
May the Lord give us understanding of how to live salt relationships… at home!!!