Matthew 18:7-14
Mark 9:42-50
Temptations, traps and stumbling blocks, are curses on our world. They are inevitable, but there is a specific denunciation for the one who puts a trap in the way of someone else. If your hand, foot, or eyes cause you to stumble, discourage it so you can stay on God's path. Don't look down on any "little ones", whether they are actual little children or young in their walk with God. Jesus says that although some may think that these young Christians are worth less, they have no less importance to God, who has angels guarding and watching them as well. Jesus relates this in a story about a shepherd who loves each one of his sheep.
Jesus has just been asked "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" by the disciples. (We learned this in week 6 Day 5) He put a child in the midst and said you must humble yourself like this child to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus acknowledges that this world is full of traps, stumbling blocks, and temptations. (The word for "trap" here is "skandalon" where we get the word "scandal"). Jesus warns that there is a harsh punishment for those who would put a trap in the path of someone trying to follow Him. There is no "greater" or "lesser" in the kingdom of heaven, God supplies all of our care and needs equally. When we read the "it would be better to cut off any offending parts" verses, we should read them with the figurative meaning of the word "cut off". It does mean literally cut off, but figuratively the meaning is "to frustrate". So if there's a weakness we see in ourselves, frustrate that weakness. Discourage and hinder that tendency. (My thesaurus is my best friend when it comes to Bible study 😂) Jesus is teaching that our spiritual weaknesses have the capacity to become as much a part of us as an arm, a leg, or our eyes. Let's say I have a tendency towards gluttony. (Wait, this is supposed to be hypothetical....😒) If I don't discourage that tendency in myself, it becomes a part of me. And anything that takes precedence over my desire to serve God is a stumbling block. It is better to show some self-control now than to miss the kingdom of God.
The promise in verses 12-14 changes me. I've been the one in 99 before, and so have you. Over the course of this conversation in chapter 18, Jesus has confronted bias, discrimination, and self-inflation. He warns us to be aware of our actions and reactions. But God...when I go astray, He searches for me and finds me. My story with God is one of Him buying me back once with His blood, and winning me back every single day with His love. Praise Him!!
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