The Gospel of Mark 9:38-50
John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
“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.”
Let us Pray:
Heavenly Father, Help us to embrace the inclusivity that Jesus taught, recognizing and celebrating the good works done in His name, no matter where they come from. Grant us the wisdom and strength to avoid actions that might cause others to stumble in their faith. May we commit ourselves fully to the path of discipleship, willing to make sacrifices for the sake of Your kingdom. Amen.
Have you ever been in the situation where someone was doing something that impacted on your standing? Did you ignore it or approach the person? What did you do? In this passage, the disciples express concern about someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name who was not part of their group. Jesus responds by emphasizing inclusivity, saying, “Whoever is not against us is for us”. This teaches us to recognize and appreciate the good works done in Jesus’ name, It shows the acceptance Jesus had. Especially when it comes from outside their immediate circle of followers. These words of Jesus are a death blow to the intolerant spirit, to the attitude that says, “Our group is the only group that is right.” Jesus here establishes the basis for fellowship among believers. He is really saying, “I do not care what denomination you are in. If you have received Jesus as your personal Savior, if you have been born again, you are my siblings in Christ.” Jesus is trying to impress upon his disciples and upon us that the way we live our lives does matter. Jesus’ ministry is a pattern for all who reach out in love to the neighbor: “For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward”. Serving the neighbor is not to gain reward but to live in response to the neighbor and serving out of love and in the name of Christ. Jesus then shifts to a stern warning about causing others to stumble. Have we become stumbling blocks to another, “to one of these little ones,” or to someone in our own lives?Maybe we have become stumbling blocks to ourselves. Who or what have been stumbling blocks for you? How did they get in the way and cause you to stumble or fall? When you encounter a stumbling block how do you react? Do these stumbling blocks lead you or others into sin? The imagery of cutting off a hand or foot or plucking out an eye if it causes sin underscores the radical commitment required to live a life of true discipleship.
As Mark closes this Gospel, he tells us about Jesus and having salt. What does Jesus mean when he says, “have salt in yourselves”? Salt served a very useful purpose in hot climates before the invention of electricity and refrigeration. Salt not only gave food flavor, it also preserved meat from spoiling. Salt was used as a symbol of fellowship and the common meal. Salt purifies, preserves, and penetrates, so the disciple must be as salt in the world of human society to purify, preserve, and penetrate that society for the kingdom of God and of his righteousness and peace. So what did Jesus mean by the expression “salted with fire” and “salt becoming saltless”? Salt was often put in ovens to intensify the heat. When the salt was burned off and no longer useful it was thrown out on the road or on the roof top where it would easily get trodden upon. Perhaps Jesus wanted to contrast useful salt used for giving flavor and for preserving food with salt which was burned and no longer of much benefit, to encourage his disciples to be faithful witnesses and to not neglect the opportunity to influence others for the kingdom of God through the witness of their lives and their testimony to the power of the kingdom of God.
Let us Pray: We pray for all people who seek to follow your way in their lives. Let your church speak your word of truth with confidence and in unity so that those who are searching and listening will be able to see and hear clearly your message of love and peace. This we pray in your name. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 