Mark 9:30-50
In this week’s reading of the Gospel of Mark, Mark 9:30-50 highlights the importance of humility, service, the seriousness of sin, and the need for radical measures to avoid it, along with a call for unity and peace among Jesus’ followers. Central to this verse is that much of this action takes place among children. Here are the key points to these verses:
Prediction of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (Verses 30-32)
Jesus predicts His death and resurrection for the second time: Jesus tells His disciples that He will be delivered into the hands of men, be killed, and rise again after three days. However, the disciples do not understand this prediction and are afraid to ask Him about it.
The Greatest in the Kingdom (Verses 33-37)
Dispute about who is the greatest: The disciples argue about who among them is the greatest. Jesus teaches them that true greatness comes from being a servant to all.
Jesus uses a child as an example: He takes a child in His arms and tells the disciples that whoever welcomes a child in His name welcomes Him and the One who sent Him, emphasizing humility and service.
Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us (Verses 38-41)
John’s concern about an exorcist: John reports that they saw someone casting out demons in Jesus' name and tried to stop him because he was not following them.
Jesus’ response: Jesus tells them not to stop him because anyone who does a miracle in His name will not soon afterward speak evil of Him. He teaches that whoever is not against them is for them and promises a reward for those who assist them.
Warnings about Causing Others to Sin (Verses 42-50)
Causing others to sin: Jesus warns that causing a believer, especially a child, to sin is a grave offense, deserving severe punishment.
Radical self-discipline: He advises cutting off a hand, foot, or eye if they cause one to sin, using hyperbolic language to emphasize the importance of avoiding sin at all costs.
Teachings on hell: Jesus describes hell (Gehenna) as a place where the fire never goes out and the worm does not die, stressing the seriousness of sin.
Salt and peace: He concludes with a metaphor about salt, saying that everyone will be salted with fire. Salt represents purification and preservation. Jesus exhorts His disciples to have salt in themselves and live in peace with each other.
Children in Jesus' time were generally seen as having low social status and were valued primarily for their future economic contributions, Jesus’ teachings elevated their importance, emphasizing their inherent value and using them as exemplars of the qualities necessary for entering the kingdom of God. By valuing children, Jesus taught His followers to embrace servant leadership and humility, rejecting the pursuit of status and power. Jesus’ inclusion of children reflects his broader message of an inclusive community where the least and the marginalized are valued and protected. Jesus’ attitude toward children was counter-cultural. This was a radical departure from the general societal view that undervalued children.
How do we value children today? How do we value the least and marginalized? What would Jesus say about our ministry to them?
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
If you are reading the Gospel of Mark with Pastor Chuck this year, below is a short and simple guide to doing so for this week:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, your words expose my innermost thoughts and desires. I am an open book before you when I read your book. May your truths work as I read of your holiness, truth, and love. May the power of your word be known in my life so that I might genuinely have the abundant life you came to give. Amen.
Read: Mark 9:30-50
Questions to guide your thinking:
How inclusive am I towards others who may not be part of my immediate faith community but still do good in Jesus' name?
Do I find myself judging others who practice their faith differently from me? How can I adopt a more inclusive and accepting attitude?
How mindful am I of my actions and their impact on others, especially those who look up to me?
What steps can I take to avoid temptations and situations that lead me to sin?
How seriously do I take the consequences of sin in my life? What radical changes am I willing to make to avoid sin?
