Mark 9

As you've probably noticed, Mark's gospel moves REALLY fast!  This chapter goes in so many different directions that I could have written six very different blog posts.

I chose to look at the section you're probably the most familiar with.  

Lose It!

Mark 9

42 “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. 43 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. [44] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] 47 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 to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,  

These verses are some of Jesus' most famous teachings.  The principle is very simple:

If something causes you to sin, it's better to remove it from your life. 

Typically, when we think about these verses, the only cost we consider is the loss of the item removed for the sake of not sinning.  

• If a friendship leads me into temptation, I may lose a friend.
• If going to the mall causes me to covet, I need stop going to the mall.
• If my computer helps me lust, I should get rid of it.

While the idea is simple to understand, it's extremely difficult to do.  Part of the problem is that we never stop to consider the cost on the opposite side.

When we choose sin, the cost is Jesus.

I'm not talking about losing your salvation, but I am talking about growth in your relationship with God.  Sin is us turning away from God instead of toward Him.  Each time we sin, we choose something other than Jesus. In that moment, we are saying that we think that what we get from our sin is better than getting more of Jesus.

Stop and consider this:

• Do you believe Jesus is better than a new car?
• Do you believe Jesus is better than lust?
• Do you believe Jesus is better than gossip?
• Do you believe Jesus is better than winning an argument?
• Is gaining Jesus worth losing a hand?
• Is gaining Jesus worth unplugging your computer?
• Is gaining Jesus worth cutting up your credit card?
• Is gaining Jesus worth distancing yourself from a friend?

I don't know what causes you to sin, but I do know that Jesus is better.  He's worth the cost.

RABBIT TRAIL #1 - Verses and Chapters

Mark 9 is a great reminder that the chapters and verses in the Bible weren't in the original texts.  The chapters came in the 13th century, and verses followed in the 16th century.  While the scriptures themselves are the inspired word of God, the number system is funny at times.  

This chapter starts off with:

And he said to them...

It's a continuation of a previous thought, but by verse, the story jumps forward six days.  Clearly, Mark 9:1 would make more sense being attached to the previous chapter. 

 SEAN CHANDLER  |  Associate Pastor 

 Sean has been a part of the association of Hill Country Bible Churches for over twenty years. He received Christ as a youth while attending Hill Country Bible Church Austin. He attended Hill Country Bible Church NW from 1989 to 2002. At that time he began attending HCBC Pflugerville. He served as a student ministry intern there for two years. In 2008, Sean graduated from Columbia International University with a double major in Bible and Bible teaching. Sean married his wife, Jennifer, in 2006. Their first child, Liam, was born in 2012.

He blogs regularly at seanchandler.net.