Cut It Out Or Cut It Off

THE SETTING

As the disciples argue over greatness, Jesus places a little child in their midst (9:33-36).

Jesus wanted the disciples to become as a child and recognize their insignificance (cp. Mt. 18:1-5). [Children had no power, status, or rights in the ancient world.]

Still focussed on others, John asks Jesus about someone who was not a part of their group (9:38-41). Jesus responds by warning about stumbling (9:42-50)

THE SCANDAL

Mark uses a form of “scandal” throughout his gospel to denote those who fall away under pressure (4:17; 14:27, 29), those appalled or offended (6:3), and those provoked to sin (9:42, 43-47). [The first two categories are passive, meaning they fall away. The last category is active meaning they are the cause.]

In our text, Jesus used “scandal” to strongly warn those who lead others to sin and allow themselves to be lead into sin (Mk. 9:42-48; cp. Mt. 13:41).

Although “metaphoric hyperbole,” the language used in this section is graphic, dramatic, severe, extreme, and violent (cp. Mt. 5:27-30). [Jesus is not speaking literally as He made it clear that sin comes from the heart (7:20–23). Whatever in our lives makes us stumble, and therefore causes others to stumble, must be removed as if by surgery.]

THE SITUATION

Leading others astray or causing others to fall brings forth severe punishment (9:42; Prov. 7; Eph. 6:4).Solicitation to sin (direct and intentional): invite others to sin or share in sin. This could include enticing others to lie, steal, gossip, cheat, lust, fornicate, etc. (Prov. 7; 1 Tim. 5:22).Provocation to sin (direct/indirect; intentional/unintentional): provoke others to commit sin. This could include provoking others by being rude, mean, picking on people, encouraging others to do something worldly or chose worldly things over godly endeavors (Eph. 6:4).

Constantly allowing yourself to fall into temptation also needs to be addressed (9:43-50; Mt. 13:37-43).We often only focus on those who cause people to sin or stumble; Jesus wants us to know that leading others astray is bad, but being lead astray is worse (Mt. 13:41).If YOUR hand = things you DO (actions & accomplishments). If YOUR eye = things you SEE (desires of your flesh). If YOUR foot = places you GO (traveling to places you shouldn’t).

Failure to heed Jesus’ warnings will bring forth terrible consequences (9:47-48; Mt. 16:27).Our English word “hell” comes from the Greek word Gehenna. Gehenna means, “Valley of Hinnom.” This valley is located just S and W of Jerusalem. It’s not uncommon to hear that this was a trash dump that burned continuously. This is not attested historically.What we do know is that it was a place where child sacrifices were offered (2 Kg. 23:10; Jer. 7:31-32). These sacrifices we made by making children “pass through the fire” (Jer. 32:35) and such desecration caused it to be called “the valley of slaughter” (Jer. 19:6-7). The Valley of Hinnom, Gehenna, is the place of God’s judgment (Isa. 30:33; 66:24). Jesus is the authority on Gehenna; most of what we know about hell comes from the lips of Jesus Himself.In summary, the Bible portrays hell as a place of departing (Mt. 7:23; 25:32; 2 Thess. 1:8-10), destruction (Mt. 10:28; Lk. 12:5), darkness (Mt. 25:30; Mk. 9:48), and distress (Mt. 8:12; Lk. 16:23-24).

THE SOLUTION

Surrender to God and slay the desires of the flesh through the power of the Spirit (Rom. 8:12-18; 13:14; Phil. 2:12-13).

Seek things that are above, get your mind right, and put to death evil desires (Col. 3:1-11; Ac. 19:18-20).

Avoid the people, places, activities, and ambitions which lead us astray (Rom. 16:20; 1 Pet. 2:11) [note = skopeo / zero in on your target or mark] [when it comes to people who are not Christians we politely decline, but when it comes to our brethren (little ones who believe) we need to say “get thee behind me Satan for you are not mindful of the things of God but of men”]