Read Mark 9:42-50
I can only imagine a world filled with handless, foot-less, or eye-less people waiting to get into heaven. But if that’s what it takes to keep us blameless and free from sin, are you willing to cut off your sinful extremity? It seems a little extreme, doesn’t it?
I’m sure Jesus doesn’t want us to take this instruction literally. But it is a fantastic way to demonstrate how our sin separates us from God. We’d have a permanent solution to avoid making the same mistake twice. How often do we fall into the trap of sinfulness only to repeat our evil ways again and again? There must be a way to escape the cycle.
I don’t know about you but ending up in the “unquenchable fires of hell” does not sound like a pleasant destination to me. I’m motivated to figure out how to avoid that outcome. Short of cutting off our hands or feet, or gouginh out our eyes, what can we do?
Jesus has been speaking about discipleship, that is, what it means to follow him. This passage makes it clear that following Jesus is a hard road. We’ll face challenges. We’ll be tempted to sin. Ultimately, the answer to the sin problem is not superior self-discipline, but forgiveness. This passage emphasizes the seriousness of the problem, but doesn’t really provide an answer (like 1 John 1:5-10, for example). As for an addict, it’s not helpful to just say, “try harder.”
We have also been warned to not drag others down with us. Our human tendency leads us to hide our own sin by exposing the sins of others. We all sin, we just don’t want to admit our weakness. As followers, Jesus asks us to do better at clinging to our faithfulness and avoiding the inevitable path of sin.
What comes to mind for you when you read Jesus’ words about being tested (or in the Greek, “salted”) with fire? Jesus says “everyone” will face that reality. He says, “You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” I get the part about living in peace, but what are the qualities of salt, and how do I get them?
Look at Leviticus 2:13 which reads, “Season all your grain offerings with salt to remind you of God’s eternal covenant. Never forget to add salt to your grain offerings.” Salt was an important component in those days. Salt was vital–a necessity of life. Salt was also a preservative, a purifying agent. Jesus didn’t want us to lose that property which sets us apart as special.
Just as salt impacts the tastiness of food, we are to impact the lives of others by drawing them into a relationship with Jesus. The purity of our lives can attract others to Jesus. When we fall away or become disillusioned in our faith, we lose our saltiness. Jesus warns us against this possibility.
What’s better for us is staying connected to Jesus and letting him lead our lives. What’s better for us is to avoid sinning by avoiding situations that would cause us and others to stumble. What’s better for us is to lead by example attracting more and more people onto a path toward Jesus.
Let’s pray. Lord, I want to be closer to you. Help me to avoid situations that would lead to temptation and sin. I want to stay salty so I can draw others to you. Use me for your purpose today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
