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.”
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 was to defend those who could not protect themselves. Being on the receiving end allow others to walk with discernment and good judgment. 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 builds one's security in faith, and it disunifies and distracts essential church community.
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? Jesus calls this a heavy yoke. Jesus turned the tables and insisted that it would be better for the offender 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]. "A millstone is a stone so large it took a donkey to turn it" (3). Jesus uses strong language here so that we would take his words seriously. Let's ponder the love of God in this context (v. 42). "Drowning in the ocean," illustrates a righteous anger. He will judge the perpetrator. God expects His people to depend on Him by praying His will, not opposing His providence in the lives of those among us. God has called His people to be witnesses and ambassadors of truth. Ensuring one's spiritual growth and unity amongst the saints is a mark of Christian maturity.
Keep in mind:
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When someone comes into the church community, we must welcome them with open hearts and be careful in how we lead them.
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Be wise in how we feed them.
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Be sensitive to their pain.
Consider:
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Are we exercising our faith so that other's lives will be changed?
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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.
(3) John MacArthur, MacArthur Study Bible.
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