I have begun teaching through a new series focusing in on the teachings of Jesus. I titled this series “The Gospel According to Jesus.” This morning in my quite time with the Lord I noticed that Jesus made some comments to his disciples. I’m sure that Jesus comment left them scratching their heads. Well maybe not them but to the average Joe, he’s probably thinking “is this guy serious?” Well maybe not the average Joe, put to the person sitting in the pew on Sunday listening to some preacher read from the bible, he’s thinking. “There has got to be some other meaning to that passage.”
Ok, have I sparked enough curiosity in you yet? Good. Check this out these are some words from Jesus as he’s doing his thing that strike me as offensive. We are going to pick up Jesus in mid stride. Mark9:42”And whosoever shall “offend” one of [these] little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” So much for thinking that Christianity is only a religion of peace. The author and finisher of our faith Jesus is obviously pretty passionate about his little ones. The word “offend” could also be translated to mean; to cause to fall way, to entice one to sin, to put a stumbling block in ones way. You get the sense that Jesus took it serious whenever a person became a stumbling block to one of his little ones. But did he really mean that a person is better off being hung or even worse cast into the sea? Whether are not he meant what he said literally the fact is he did say it.
Ok, let’s keep reading It gets even more offensive Mark9:43 “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Jesus obviously has not attended the Ethical School of Political Correctness. In these few verses of scripture Jesus has talked about hanging and drowning folks. He is talked about cutting off hands, plucking out eyes and hell and fire what in the world is going on here.
I am being facetious here of course but I think it’s important to honestly pay attention not only to what Jesus said or why he said it but also the way in which he said things. If Jesus was here today and walking the streets of Kansas City. We could be sure that he would talk about at least these two topics Hell and Sin. So that you don’t run out and get a sharp blade or screw driver. Allow me a minute to pour some meaning into what Jesus is teaching.
Jesus wanted us to know beyond a shadow of doubt that he takes Sin of any kind pretty serious. He takes it so serious that he says if you have a foot that’s causing you to Sin cut it off. If Jesus were on earth today and said that any other way that could have possibly taken away from you and I understanding just how much God Hates Sin.
God hated Sin so much that he sacrificed his son own son Jesus. The Sacrifice of Jesus was the only way to deal with God’s hatred of Sin. Let me give you a verse that explains what Christ death and Resurrection meant to those who believe. The scripture says2Cor5:21“For he hath made Jesus [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we (believers in Jesus) might be made the righteousness of God in him.” And then God takes it a step further and offers Grace to all that believe. Paul gives us more insight about this gift of grace. 2Cor6:1“We (believers in Jesus) then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” So then cutting a foot off or chopping off a hand or chopping off some other part of your body is not the cure for dealing with Sin. But Christ gives us a very truthful and blunt reminder that if he did not die and rise again then the only cure for Sin would be to cut it off. Well then understanding that is enough to make you wanta Shout Alleluia!!!!
Oh yeah...He meant what He said. He always meant what He said.
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