Reflecting on Mark 9:42-48
"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble.." (Mark 9:42)Some christians are adamant that we talk about ‘hell’.
I could spend a lot of time on what ‘hell’ does, and does not mean.
Suffice it to say, Jesus is talking about God’s judgment.
And in this passage He makes clear who is under God’s judgment.
God is passionate about “these little ones”.
Jesus says that this refers to any and all who put their hope in Jesus.
They are weak, struggling, vulnerable, in need of mercy.
God’s passion is aroused when some people make life hard for others.
If you are a parent, you can relate to this passion.
If your child is being bullied, teased, shunned, you would be angry too.
God wants everyone to love and be loved… EVERYONE!
Sin is not just breaking a list of arbitrary rules.
The sin that angers God is any kind of damaging or demeaning behaviour.
Those who abuse, neglect or take advantage of those without.
This is the kind of behaviour that God hates, and we should hate it too.
Jesus did not view all people as wicked sinners, worthy of hell.
Jesus saw all people as lost and needy sheep, in need of help and healing.
He had compassion on the crowds (Matthew 9:35-38).
Jesus did not preach hell, He preached good news.
His message was good news of hope, healing, help, grace, goodness.
Yet sometimes He did preach hell, and notice to whom He preached it.
His WOES are reserved for the religious leaders (Matthew 23:13-39).
His WOES are reserved for the wealthy who only think of themselves (Luke 6:24-26).
He warns unloving (cruel, abusive, heartless) people about God’s anger.
There is no room in God’s eternal kingdom for such behaviour.
If you are a person that looks down on, maligns, hurts or hinders others, BEWARE!
You are not on God’s side, and you are living contrary to God’s will and way!
God is passionate about the little ones, the underdogs, the oppressed.
God is for the humbled ones: poor, hungry, persecuted, mistreated, grieving.
Jesus shows us that these ones are God’s priority (Matthew 5:3-12).
And they should be ours as well.
Who are the humbled ones around us?
Who are the mistreated, shunned, looked down upon, disadvantaged ones?
And who are the selfish rich ones, who are the uncaring religious leaders.
Who are the ones that really need to hear about ‘hell’ more?
Yes, I agree that we need to talk about God’s judgment more.
But in my opinion it should be directed to those with power, position, privilege.
It should be directed to those who make life hard for ‘little ones’
There is NO room in God’s kingdom for ungracious, unloving, cruel behaviour.
‘Hell’ is not a tool for religious leaders to warn the little ones to repent.
It is a stern warning to religious leaders not to hinder or harm the little ones.
As followers of Jesus, we know what God’s gracious love is like.
We should know better, and should NOT refuse grace to others.
If something I do hinders or harms someone else, I need to cut that out.
If I am somehow standing in the way of a humble Jesus seeker, I need to move.
Yes, they are ‘sinners’ who need Jesus, JUST LIKE I DO.
Judging and condemning them is NOT what I am called to do.
I need to deal with the log in my own eye, and leave their splinter alone.
Yes, their sin is only a splinter to me, no matter how ‘bad’ it may be.
God does not treat me as my sins deserve.
How dare I then treat others as their sins deserve.
God’s judgment (‘hell’) is reserved for unloving, ungracious people.
He is especially passionate about the little ones.
The abused, the confused, the outcasts, the condemned, the victims.
One day God through Jesus will rid the world of all such behaviour.
I can start now, but ridding myself of all such behaviour.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, one day there will be no unloving, ungracious behaviour. There will be no underdogs, no victims, no abusers, no cruel or unkind religious people. You are cleansing the world of such unloving behaviour.
Help me to help you by 'cutting off' the attitudes and behaviours in me that hinder of harm your 'little ones'.
The gospel in one word is love. I need to be like a little child directed by my Father to do His will at all times. Trust and obey His will wherever He leads and guides me being an instrument of His peace. I need to be like Christ unto others in all I do and say. All for Jesus.