Short and Not So Sweet
The text this week is Mark 9:38-50. This is another set of two short teaching moments from Jesus. They are short, but not really sweet. They challenge our assumptions about how we should respond to God’s gifts of Grace upon Grace, and deliver some clear warnings. The first is a warning about how to view those who do not proclaim the same way you do. The second is a lesson about ridding yourself of that which holds you back, using the visualization of cutting off body parts. Like I said, short and not so sweet.
A Warning Against Denominationalism
Excessive denominationalism is the mindset that whatever your denomination is, that is the one that counts most. Taken to extremes (and it often is), you find people claiming that their denomination, and its confession is the only path to salvation. Jesus deals with this attitude in a clear teaching to the disciples. Jesus is informed that there is another exorcist in the neighborhood who is casting out demons, and that the disciples tried to stop him because he was not following them.
Jesus makes clear that this is inappropriate. Verse 39-40 provides clarity “”Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us”. This is a clear warning against thinking that the way you and your group do things is the only way. In our world this means having respect for those whose confession of Christ as savior is different form yours. We are all confessing Jesus as risen Lord and Savior. It does not matter if this is in a Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic or non-liturgical evangelical tradition. As Jesus says in Verse 41, “whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because your bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward”. We should respect all those who bear the name of Christ, and recognize that we all believe in the same Son of the same God.
Cutting Off Body Parts?
The first lesson was a bit tough because many of us have fallen into the trap of denominationalism at one time or another, but the teaching itself is warmly inclusive. The second lesson comes with stark imagery. In order to not let obstacles get in the way of our faith, Jesus uses violent metaphors. First He says if you cause a little one (a child, or one new in the faith) to stumble you would be better off with a millstone around your neck and thrown into the sea. As always great care and concern is to be directed at those least among us.
From here the imagery gets even more grim. If various body parts cause you to stumble then cut them off. There, that’s an easy teaching right? We should look upon these as metaphors but there are real life situations where amputation becomes necessary to save one’s life. In fact, this was more likely the case in 1st. century Palestine than in our world. However, I think Jesus is speaking metaphorically, but doing so in a dramatic way to underline the seriousness of His teaching.
First and foremost in our life must be God. Nothing must stand between us and our belief in His power and the gift of His Son. The loss of a relationship with our Father in Heaven because of a stumble in our faith is the worst thing that could happen to anyone. Jesus is driving this home in the strongest way He can. The stakes are eternal salvation. What can compare to that? Not any body part, or any earthly relationship, nothing whatsoever!
So, while Jesus may not be talking literally of cutting off body parts, we should be willing to do even that rather than break faith with God. This we believe, now we should go out and obey like our right arm depends upon it.
Praise Be to God
