Mark 9:38-50 (NRSV)
Read Mark 9:38-50 on biblegateway.com
Verse 38John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." Verse 39But 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. Verse 40Whoever is not against us is for us. Verse 41For 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.
Verse 42"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. Verse 43If 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. Verse 45And 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. Verse 47And 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, Verse 48where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
Verse 49"For everyone will be salted with fire. Verse 50Salt 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."
Devotion
Years ago I called upon a family who had recently moved into our community and had worshipped with us. In the course of our conversation about church life, Jeannie, the young wife and mother, remarked that she was greatly concerned for church members who felt caught in the middle between leaders of the Church with deep disagreements. She said, “Those who hold strong positions will have their church. Those in the middle struggle with what to believe.”
When we “do battle” for our truth, we need to consider the stumbling blocks we put before one of these "little ones" who believe. We would do well to hear Jesus' words from the perspectives of insightful lay people like Jeannie. Perhaps our truth is best filtered through the lens of compassion.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give us the salt of compassion to season our witness, especially on those issues and ideas that we feel most strongly about, so that we do not cause your little ones to stumble. Amen.