Millstones and Fire: Mark 9:38-50

"Teacher," John said, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."

Not one of us. The twelve had just failed to cast out a demon themselves, yet they were policing who could use Jesus' name.

"Do not stop him," Jesus replied. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward."

A cup of water. The smallest kindness counted. The boundaries of the kingdom were wider than they imagined.

Then his tone shifted, grew fierce:

"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea."

A millstone was massive—a stone so heavy it required a donkey to turn it. Jesus was saying that drowning with that weight around your neck was preferable to leading a child away from faith. The violence of the image was intentional.

He continued, each word a blade:

"If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where 'the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

Hyperbole? Perhaps. But the point was unmistakable: whatever leads you to sin must be dealt with ruthlessly. Better to lose a part than lose everything.

"Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other."

Salt. Fire. Peace. The disciples who had argued about greatness were being called to something far more demanding—purity that would cost them everything, and peace with each other that began in humility.