The Innocent are Among Us
Mark 9:42
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.”
God takes offense when one causes the innocent to stumble in disbelief. The “little ones” in this verse represent the same persons as a “child” (vs. 36–37). Children are immature, weak, ignorant of life, and perhaps in this context, may be considered as a new believers [1]. Jesus is stating that he despises when children are sacrificed for the pride and unrestraint of others. "Our actions and our words carry significant weight. How many of us have caused someone weaker in faith to doubt or to trust in works rather than in Christ? Some organized religions today insist on law as the means of attaining heaven. And yet, Jesus called this a heavy yoke. Jesus turned the tables and insisted that it would be better for these people to be drowned in the sea by a large stone used to grind grain than to cause even one person to doubt or sin" [2]. There are innocent people around us as believers, and we cannot detect them because we are not thinking about the lost or the weaker vessels. People genuinely desire to know God's character.
In Mark 9:36, Jesus said to accept the innocent because when you receive them, you receive me. When you receive me, you receive my Father. The disciples were on the receiving side; therefore, to receive one is to defend those who cannot protect themselves. Being on the receiving end allows one to walk with discernment and good judgment by ensuring that the weak may not fall short of God’s truth. Legalistic battles can infiltrate the innocent and take the emphasis off of who Jesus Christ is in character (Phil 2:5). It causes disruption and confusion (1 Cor 14:33). It tears down the body rather than helps one to be secure in their faith, and it disunifies and distracts essential church community.
In vs. 42, when Jesus implies that it is better for the person who confuses the weak to be drowned in the ocean, he illustrates a righteous anger. He will judge the perpetrator. God takes distorting His word very seriously. God expects His people to depend on Him by praying His will, not opposing His providence in the lives of those among us. We must be careful of impure motives or trying to play God in the life of church community. God has called His people to be witnesses and disciples. Therefore, we must be careful of how we deal with the weak. Jesus says, “It would be better for one if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. Whoa!!! This idea of a millstone is harsh language from Jesus. He is threatening and teaching that one should do whatever it takes to keep harmony, love, honesty, and sound teaching for the sake of the church community.
Keep in mind:
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When someone comes into our church, we must welcome them with sincere hearts and be careful in how we lead them.
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We must be wise in what we feed them. We do not know the pain that they suffered prior to visiting our church. We also don’t know if they have just come to Christ. We don’t know where they stand, so we must be sincere in faith. We are accountable to God for how we handle other people.
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People are watching the family structure. We must be wise in how we lead and how we speak to each other, in the home and outside of the home.
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We must protect young ears and hearts so that they aren’t divided and confused about God’s loyalty to them.
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We say we love Christ in our workplace; however, how do others perceive our character? Are we living out our faith? Our witness will bother people, but we must maintain our dependence on the Lord. Do we look like everyone else? Do we chuckle at things that we shouldn’t for acceptance? Do we go along to get along?
Lord, help us to be like-minded in the body of Christ. Help us to have the mind of Christ in attitude and in deed. Help us to be sensitive to the needs of others. Help us to stand for righteousness to protect those around us. Help us not to lean to our own understanding and be wise in our own eyes. Help us to fear you and walk in your wisdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
[1] James A. Brooks, Mark, vol. 23, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 152.
[2] Rodney L. Cooper, Mark, vol. 2, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 152.
