But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea

 

 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where

'Their worm does not die,

And the fire is not quenched.'

"And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where

'Their worm does not die,

And the fire is not quenched.'

"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- where

'Their worm does not die,

And the fire is not quenched.'

"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."

 

- Mark 9:42–50 

 

On Saturday we read that Jesus and the disciples departed from the area of Caesarea Philippi (near the Mount of the Transfiguration) and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.  For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him.  And after He is killed, He will rise the third day."  But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.  Then He came to Capernaum.  And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?"  But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.  And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.  And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."  Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."  But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side.  For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

 

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"  Let us recall from Saturday's reading that Jesus has been teaching the disciples about gracious behavior, and about the nature of their calling as one of service to all.  This took place after they were disputing as to who would have the highest places in Christ's Kingdom, which they clearly expect at this stage will be a material, worldly kingdom.  My study Bible explains that little ones include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.  That is, the "little ones" in the Church, those of little power or low rank, and likely to be all the more dependent upon God.  This warning is one more way Jesus is teaching the disciples about their future behavior as bishops and stewards of His Church.  He is instructing them in their responsibility of caring for the "little ones" in their charge, and their use of the authority they will have.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 66:24.  A hand may cause one to sin by reaching out for what does not belong to oneself, reaching out to strike another, or to abuse another.  All of these things would constitute abuse of power from one ranking higher than a "littler" one.  My study Bible reminds us that the references to mutilation are illustrative of decisive action to avoid sin, and not an advocacy for literal amputation.  This also refers to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26, 1 Corinthians 5:5). 

"And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"  Again, there is another warning about abuse of power.  A foot may go where it is not wanted, cross over a boundary it should respect, or be used to kick or trample upon another or on someone else's property.  Again, Jesus is warning about abuses of power to those who will have power and rank in His Church.  As such, these warnings have as much relevance today as they did to the disciples at the time they were given.

 "And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"  An eye may look with envy or covetousness for what does not belong to it -- another person, or a material property.  It may also look with malevolence, jealousy, rage, malice, and a host of other ways of "seeing" or looking at others which are sinful.  Once again, Jesus is warning His disciples about abuses of power which may come with rank in His Church, and the importance of the care of the little ones in their care.  His dire warnings about hell fire remind us just how seriously these instructions are given, and how serious a violation of such a position of trust and leadership really is.

"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."  My study Bible comments that being seasoned with fire means to be tested to see if one's faith and works are genuine (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  In saying that every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt, Jesus quotes Leviticus 2:13 -- in which salt stands for the remembrance of God's covenant with God's people. 

 

Jesus says that everyone will be seasoned with fire.   If everyone will be seasoned with this fire, then what is its nature?  Fire is often associated with the energy of holiness, and the Holy Spirit itself.  See, for example, the "tongues of fire" which seemed to illumine the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:3-4), or the chariot of fire by which Elijah went up to heaven (accompanied by a whirlwind, as happened also at Pentecost; see 2 Kings 2:11).  In Daniel 7:9-10, the Ancient of Days sits on a throne which is a "fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire" from which issues a "fiery stream."   This is not a vision of hell, but of heaven, and God on God's throne.  Clearly, then, this fire with which everyone will be seasoned does not only indicate hell fire.  It is, in fact, the fire of God, or the energies of God, with which we will all be seasoned.  Let us not forget, also, that for the ancient world light and fire could be synonymous, as all illumination (prior to the use of electricity) came via lamps or torches in which fire burned.  The real question remains, then, who will remain standing in that fire of the energies of God?  Like the purification of gold or other precious metal, fire is meant as an illustration of that which burns away impurities.  To cut off or remove a hand or eye or foot is a visceral illustration of separating oneself from sin, of casting off personal sin although it feels like one is cutting off a part of oneself.  Jesus speaks here, in vivid images to His disciples who will become the bishops and stewards of His Church, about their own tendencies which will be exacerbated in positions of power.  The need for them to use power to do good and to serve others, especially those who are "little ones" in terms of social stature and rank, is paramount.  As we can see from modern headlines as well as the illustrations throughout history (and including of powerful people in the New Testament at Christ's time), any personal tendencies toward sinful behavior are simply magnified with power and rank and the wealth that goes with it.  In a modern context, this would certainly include the power that comes with any type of celebrity, such as that of figures in sports and entertainment as well as politics.  When we look at Jesus' statements with this sobering and all-too-common fact of life in mind, we come to understand what He is talking about and why His warnings to the disciples about abuses of little ones are so emphatic and important.  If we're serious about our faith, we will take them seriously for ourselves as well.  How do we treat people of lesser status than ourselves, particularly in the context of Church?  Clearly Christ has in mind an institution for His Church that will be different from the institutions of power of the world.  He illustrates this when He says, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant" (Mark 10:42-43).  If we, who call ourselves His followers, do not endeavor to be representatives of the Church He has in mind, who will?  By the language He uses in today's reading, this is a personal mission He's given to each of us, part of our fidelity to Him.  Let us take His warnings as seriously as they are given to us.