A Millstone or Offending a Little One - Mark 9:42

Mark wrote how John who was Jesus' disciple said, “Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name, and he follows not us: and we forbade him, because he follows not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward”, and in chapter nine and verse forty-two of his book, Mark shared how Jesus said what would happen to, “whosoever shall offend one of these little ones” where we read:

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

The verse reads, “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, ...” Mark began with the words, “and whosoever” which means “and whatever person whether male or female” “shall offend” or “will put a stumbling-block or impediment in the way of” “one of these little ones” or “a particular one of the small and younger children” “that believe in me” which means “who trusts in, is persuaded of and places confidence in Jesus”. Mark shared how Jesus began to say what would happen to any person who “impedes” a “small and young believer” in Him.

The verse goes on to say, “... it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” Mark added the words, “it is better for him” which means “it is excellent, eminent, choice and surpassing for that person” “that a millstone” or “that a large stone used for milling corn or grain” “were hanged about his neck” which means “compassed, enclosed and encircled that person's neck of their body”, “and he were cast” or “and that person was thrown” “into the sea” which means “into the large body of deep water”. Mark shared how the person who “offends” “little ones” who believe in Jesus would be better advantaged by having a large “stone” used for milling “corn and wheat” to be hung around their “neck” and that person “thrown into” the deep “sea”.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus said people who “impede” His “young believers” would be better off to have a large stone hung around their neck and them to be “drowned” in a deep body of water. In other words, it would be very foolish to “stumble” a young believer in Jesus. Many people attempt to thwart the “belief” of a young believer in Jesus, and Jesus not only knows who they are, but also suggested a better end for them than “offending” His children. God loves people, and anyone who attempts to alter “faith and belief” in Jesus will be judged by Him. Jesus Christ was sent by God to “save” people from their sins, and a lifetime of “belief and trust” in Him is the best life a person may ever live. Anyone who attempts to persuade them otherwise, Beware.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus says, “if your hand offend you, cut it off”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".