Cut it off: the hand, foot, and the eye

[angellous_evangellous]

Reading a famous passage in Mark today, something hit me. Jesus gives the hard teaching:

Mark 9:42-45 42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 44 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.' 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

It's important to remember that Jesus can straighten withered hands, help the lame to walk again, and give the blind man his sight.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

How often it is, too, that we cause ourselves to stumble. We are the children that Jesus takes in his arms, and we too are the ones warned. The focus on the self brings the point of the message closer to home.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

It is still striking to me that

"Everyone will be salted with fire"

Is immediately followed by "Salt is good... have salt in yourselves"

 

[Jeremy Mason]

I have wrestled with this Scripture as well. I wish that I could rid myself of all my vises and definitely could, but for some stinking reason I find myself breaking down and giving in. What a shame.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I have wrestled with this Scripture as well. I wish that I could rid myself of all my vises and definitely could, but for some stinking reason I find myself breaking down and giving in. What a shame.

Yeah, I think that's the point. Placing ourselves in the company of Christ allows us to be refined in the hands of One who heals. Christ is the safe place to cut.

"Those who are crucified with Christ will be resurrected with him."

 

[angellous_evangellous]

In other words, in Christ is where hopelessness becomes hope. Our hopelessness resides in the awareness that as long as we have hands, feet, and eyes they will cause us to sin, and it is simply insane to just literally cut them off.

Our hope is in Christ, who is continually with us and our fellowship with Him continually renews us. We can go through a continual pruning process in his care, finding strength to do what we need to - go where we need to go - and see what we need to see.

 

[Jeremy Mason]

Well said my friend.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Well said my friend.

Thanks. It's a sermon now.

 

[Jeremy Mason]

Quick question,"Are you currently a minister?"

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Quick question,"Are you currently a minister?"

I don't have a steady church. I'm a scholar who fills in when pastors can't preach for whatever reason - illness, death, vacation, leaving their wives, resignation, etc.

Usually when I get a sermon like this, it's really bad for someone else.

I describe my ministry in a bit more detail here - http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/know-your-moderators/51647-about-angellous.html

 

[Jeremy Mason]

I can't wait to see you published, if you haven't already.

 

[Charity]

If it were up to me I would get you as a full time pastor......
You do real well for someone that is a willie, and Dixie Chicks fan..........

 

[Phasmid]

Wait so... what does that passage mean? Can you tell me in idiot talk please? I never understand these things.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I can't wait to see you published, if you haven't already.

I'm working with some editors now... I'm publishing part one of a four part study in a journal some time this year if everything works out. Nothing major, but it's a start.