What causes sin? Cut it off and live!

We praise you, Jesus, our Great High Priest. You have passed through the heavens, making atonement for us! As the Son of Man, you are able to sympathize with our weaknesses because you have been tempted as we are in every respect YET without sin. Thank you so much for sharing in our flesh and blood.

With confidence, we draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Amen. (Hebrews 2:17, 4:14-16)

Scripture Reading - Mark 9:42-50 (ESV)
      “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear 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 their worm does not die
and the fire is not quenched.’*

For everyone will be salted with fire.

     "Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

*Note: in some manuscripts this refrain occurs two other times in the passage, verses 44 and 46.

Holy Father, we feel the gravity of our sin against you in this passage. Three times you tell us it is better to drastically cut off the cause of sin in order to enter eternal life in the kingdom of God. If not, the one who does not humble himself or herself and submit to your holy standard will be thrown into hell - where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. Father, we approach your throne of grace in our time of need. In your mercy, would you cut off the causes of our sins.

Righteous Branch, we see you executing justice when we read in Scripture about the reality of hell. These are not easy images for us to look on. And we see your righteousness extended in love when you paid the ransom for our sin. The Great Exchange has occurred by your substitutionary sacrifice. (Jeremiah 23:5-6) 

Lord Jesus, we pray for those we know who live in rebellion to you. They have not yet humbled themselves and submitted to your kingship. We know that you have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. We pray that they will turn from their evil ways and live. May they hear your Spirit calling out to them, "Turn back, turn back from your evil ways." Amen. (Ezekiel 33:10-12)