Mark 9:38-50
Introduction
When first reading this passage in Mark’s Gospel, many are put off by all the talk about self-mutilation and the vivid descriptions of hell. It is rather harsh. And the question worth asking becomes—Did Jesus intend for his Disciples to take these commands seriously? The simple is, no.
Jesus was not expecting his Disciples to take his words literally. If he wanted literal obedience to those commands, then Da Vinci’s painting of the last supper would have depicted Disciples without hands and wearing eye patches.
In this story Jesus was using hyperbole to make a point. So what becomes problematic is that while many will rightly interpret Jesus’ exaggeration, but some take his words literally. That’s problematic because again, Jesus is using hyperbole and overstatement to make a point. And that point is, if ever we cause someone, or even ourselves, to stumble along their, or our, spiritual walk with God, then the consequences become dire for us AND for the other.
That is the point Jesus is making. He is imploring his Disciples then, and his Disciples today, to be certain we are not creating stumbling blocks that get in the way of others, or even ourselves, from knowing God’s grace and love—or as a mentor once said to me—Stumbling blocks that keep people from crafting a deeper soul with God.
Move 1
It’s important to understand in this story Jesus is speaking to his Disciples, and not talking to unbelievers. In other words, Jesus was giving warning to this group of strong and committed believers.
Will Willimon puts it bluntly. “When Jesus is in a tough-minded, take no prisoners frame of mind, he beats up on his own Disciples.”
Jesus is emphasizing to his Disciples, then and today, we can have either a positive or a negative impact upon those who are aiming for a deeper relationship with God—which includes us ourselves. And because we can have such an impact, before being quick to judge others; before pointing out the flaws and sins of others; before we tell people how they are getting it wrong— we need to focus on being those who seek to overcome our own stumbling blocks, and then help others overcome theirs.
Jesus implores his Disciples not to put a stumbling block before those who he calls the “little ones”, but Jesus is not talking about children. He is referring to “new disciples”, to those whose faith is just beginning to form.
He said if we put stumbling blocks before these folks, it would be better for us to experience the ancient form of capital punishment where a heavy mill stone was put around a person’s neck and then thrown into the sea to die a horrible death.
Jesus can’t emphasize this instruction enough—Don’t put a stumbling block in front of those who are seeking God, because a stumbling block derail someone trying to craft a deeper soul with God.
Move 2
While Jesus words and warnings are relevant to Disciples then and now, it is understandable to think the actual stumbling blocks of then and now would be very different. So it’s important to ask: What are some stumbling blocks Jesus is warning us about today?
I can think of several stumbling blocks we are in danger of putting before those who are new in their faith, or new to the Church. One would be to say a person can’t be a Christian or a member of a church unless they confess they believe all the theological tenets a denomination affirms. Many people these days don’t know what they think about Jesus or God, and have a lot of questions in their minds and hearts about all things religious. So when they step into a church, they shouldn’t be forced to stifle those questions in order to be accepted.
Which is why I love our church, and the Disciples denomination so deeply. We welcome all people to come, but not to leave their minds, or their questions, at the door. As the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) we say to any and all, “You are welcome here—both you and your questions.” A church intent on making people Disciples of their polity, and not of Jesus, will always be a stumbling block to crafting a deeper soul with God.
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Another stumbling block the larger Church puts in front of the “little ones” as Jesus says, is all the fighting and politicking that becomes prevalent in many churches. The Church loves to fight over theology, dogma, and doctrine—and then tell people what they have to believe instead of telling them about the one who can change their life for the better. But even if we put fighting aside, there is still bickering, gossip, ridicule, and judgment. All of which become stumbling blocks to the “little ones” Jesus is speaking of. People don’t come to church to fight, and they don’t come to be immersed in petty division. They get enough of that in the world. People come because they need what Jesus gives. And the Church needs to be focused on helping them discover those blessings.
Yes, the Church needs to deal with social issues that have equity and justice implications. But we must not frame those discussions by dividing the world, or even church members, into good guys and bad guys. We need to make sure what the “little ones” are being immersed in is the love of God that comes through Jesus Christ.
Move 3
These are just a couple of corporate stumbling blocks. There are certainly more, and then there are more individualistic, and personal stumbling blocks that can be just as detrimental. And in truth they become the tougher part of Jesus’ “stumbling block discussion” because they are the stumbling blocks we have in our own lives that prevent us from crafting a deeper soul with God.
And just what are the more personal stumbling blocks in our life? When I think about my own life, I can identify stumbling blocks that are certainly not helpful in my spiritual growth.
For instance, I know I struggle with self-criticism and doubt—often putting myself down when I mess up; often letting myself believe I am incapable and incompetent. I know I am not alone in this practice, and I am not alone in knowing these tendencies don’t serve me, or anyone else, well. But knowing what causes me to stumble is a crucial first step in getting over these stumbling blocks, because then I can seek out the help of God, and those who love me without condition, to help me keep getting back up, to keep trying again, every time I stumble.
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So what are some other stumbling blocks? A big one can be busyness. People fill up their lives with work and obligations and leave no quality time for prayer, study, or even considering the state of their relationship with God. Is busyness a stumbling block keeping you from crafting a deeper soul with God?
Another can be feelings of insecurity and worry about what others think, or may think, of us. We can become so consumed about what others think about us that we try to please everyone, or, we wall ourselves up from others, refusing to ever be vulnerable. Is insecurity and worry about what others think of you a stumbling block keeping you from crafting a deeper soul with God?
Another can be the need to always be right. This stumbling block keeps us from ever learning from others because we are always defending our position, which closes our minds and ears from taking in the perspectives and insights and wisdom of others. Is the need to always be right a stumbling block keeping you from crafting a deeper soul with God?
It is never easy, and it’s never something we want to do—but asking ourselves the hard question of what is keeping us from crafting a deeper soul with God is the needed first step in crafting a deeper soul with God.
Move 4
But there is still an even bigger stumbling block that keeps others from crafting a deeper soul with God. Author and priest Brennan Manning best explains what that stumbling block is when he says, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, and then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
Among the biggest stumbling blocks that keep people from crafting a soul rooted deeply in God are God’s own followers. Those of us who are strong and committed believers to the faith can become the stumbling block to others crafting a deeper soul with God.
And we do this when we call ourselves Christians, but don’t live out a lifestyle that shows we are. We do this when we say, “All are welcome”, but really mean “All are welcome…as long as certain conditions are met first.” We do this when we claim God’s unconditional love and grace for ourselves but won’t extend to others. We do this when we choose to offer anger over love, division over unity, selfishness over generosity, turning away over showing up, excuses over compassion.
A slight edit to Brennan’s statement can help make this clear… “The greatest single cause of stumbling blocks to crafting a deeper soul with God in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, and then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
Conclusion
Jesus’ call for what should happen if we become a stumbling block to someone crafting a deeper soul with God is rather striking. It is striking because he cannot over emphasize how stumbling blocks—even the ones we think are small and insignificant—can keep others from finding their way to God.
The most important work we do in this brief span of time on earth is working on crafting a soul that is in deep relationship with God; along with, being a presence that does not hinder others from doing so, but helps others craft a soul that is in deep relationship with God as well.
So let us be mindful of what we proclaim with our lips, and what we present by our lifestyle. And let us be aware that our words and our actions can either be stumbling blocks, or they can be what helps others get over stumbling blocks, for crafting a deeper soul with God. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer, October 22, 2023
Holy God, we are aware that stumbling blocks to a deeper soul with you are perpetually in front of us. And we are aware that if we are not mindful and intentional in overcoming them we can stumble and fall into doubt, weariness, anxiety, loneliness, and so much more that keeps us from you. And so we acknowledge we need to ask much from you to overcome these hinderances, so that we can embrace the blessings of a deeper soul with you.
So we ask you O God, help us become increasingly aware of the stumbling blocks before us—especially the ones we ourselves set. Teach us to recognize where and when we need your help, and the help of loved ones who can remind us we are so much stronger than we let ourselves believe. Give us courage to face the challenges that cause us to stumble and fail, while reminding us you are always there to help us get back up when we fall. Then grant us a greater ability to see the world as yours—to see it as Christ himself saw it—a place though flawed and plagued by sin, still a place for beauty and renewed life. Guide us all to be at peace within ourselves, that we may become peacemakers to others.
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Gracious God, we lift to you again all that continues to unfold in Israel and Palestine and Gaza. What is happening is horrendous and heartbreaking still, and seems to be only getting worse. Comfort those whose hearts have been stricken by grief, that they may live once more with hope. Bind up the wounds of the broken and bring healing. Open minds and hearts and spirits that all may see your hopeful and life-giving way forward. And most of all, we pray your spirit of healing and grace and peace becomes an abundant and abiding presence in this torn and hurting land.
Please listen now to the prayers of our hearts, as we lift them to you in this time of Holy Silence.
All this we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, who taught us to pray saying, “Our …