Mark 9:38-50 (NRSV)
Read Mark 9:38-50 on biblegateway.com
Verse 38John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." Verse 39But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Verse 40Whoever is not against us is for us. Verse 41For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
Verse 42"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. Verse 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. Verse 45And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. Verse 47And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, Verse 48where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
Verse 49"For everyone will be salted with fire. Verse 50Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
Devotion
“Are you Christian?” he asked. “No,” the other replied. “I’m Catholic.” Still another cried, “I don’t believe in God! Where was He when I was being abused?” So conversations go at the residential treatment facility for at-risk youth where I serve as chaplain. Some of these “little ones” know a few things about God and Jesus. Many feel God could never forgive them for what they have done. Still others feel that God has abandoned them. So, how do I respond? I tell them that there is a God who loves them, who will never, ever, ever, ever, give up on them. I tell them about Jesus. So what if they don’t have the facts straight? What if they question my faith? There are wonderful teaching moments at LSS Homme and miracles galore as children hear the Good News and experience God’s love through the staff members who care for them.
Prayer
Loving God, there are broken children of all ages who need to hear that You love them. May we never stand in their way of knowing Jesus because we want them to believe “just like us.” Thank you for being the God who embraces all; through Christ our Lord. Amen.