Mark 9:42-50 ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. ‘For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’
Context: We have journeyed these last few weeks with the disciples following Jesus deeper into an increasingly radical and costly discipleship. Jesus is on the side of those who inhabit the margins of life, especially children and all who are powerless. In this passage, he refers to “little ones” and it is inferred that these little ones are those who are new to the faith. The sense of the verb skandalizein, which is translated “put a stumbling block,” is intended to sound harsher than it does to our ears. It refers to anything that would cause one to turn from the faith or to lead another into sin and separate them from God and it doesn't matter whether someone else falls away or if it is the self that stumbles ... fire awaits.
Going Deeper: Fire awaits. The word connection employed here around the concept of "fire"is fascinating. In the first instance the author talks about the unquenchable fires of hell yet in the very next breath he talks about the fires of sanctification, literally translated "salted with fire." At this point, salt becomes an image for the movement from punishment to purification. This image is one we might not understand as well as the first hearers of the gospel. In the ancient world salt was precious. It was used for food preservation and medicinal purposes among other things. The author of Mark encourages the reader by reminding us that we can be the precious salt that flavors our world as peace-keepers and peace-makers.
Pondering: Discipleship is not always easy nor does it naturally "feel" good. For many years, I thought that I had done something wrong when things began to fall apart. What are your thoughts when life becomes difficult? In times of darkness, I still often begin to wonder, "Why has God abandoned me?" Have you ever felt "abandoned" by God? How did you make your way back from that feeling?
Praying: Take a deep breath and allow yourself to relax into the presence of God. Allow any questions you have about your discipleship begin to arise in your consciousness. Are there any “stumbling blocks” you are dealing with in your life right now that you want to explore … either by yourself or with someone else? Offer these situations to God and ask for guidance.
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