Day One Mark 9:38-50
38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”
39 “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. 40 Anyone who is not against us is for us. 41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
42 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’
49 “For everyone will be tested with fire. 50 Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”
Discover
1. What do you think is the heart behind John’s statement to Jesus in verse 38 (refresh yourself on what the disciples had just been doing in verses 33-34)?
2. What words does Jesus use to describe hell in verses 43-48?
3. What does Jesus say the disciple must have in verse 50?
Respond
The Twelve seem to be developing a mindset of exclusivity, and Jesus uses strong words to warn them against walking down that road. As Jesus approaches His death, He needs His disciples to start looking at the world through a new set of eyes – kingdom eyes. Instead of seeing others as enemies, He wants them to see an opportunity to love, serve, and teach others. Instead of seeing greatness from a worldly perspective, He wants them to see it for what it is – pride that will make them ineffective for kingdom work. Spend a few minutes now examining your own mindset. Ask God to point out any spirit of pride, exclusivity, or pet sins that need to be done away with. Allow Jesus’ strong words to speak to your own heart today.
For Further Reading: On the Side of Jesus
*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.