March 18th, 2012

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Have Salt in Yourselves Mark 9:42-50

A. Living alongside the "little ones" (42-48)

1) Who are the little ones?

42 "And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.
 

2) The challenge and blessing of living alongside the little ones

43 If your hand causes you to sin, 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 where "`their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.') 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. (46 where "`their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.') 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, 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, 48 where "`their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'
 

B. Having salt within (49,50)

1) Everyone will be salted with fire

49 Everyone will be salted with fire.
 

2) How do we use the salt within?

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

Summary
Jesus' values are different from those of this world. Jesus emphasizes the importance of those who are not powerful--the people he calls the "little ones." The world applauds and values those who are powerful and pushes aside those who don't have power. If we want to live in a way that values the little ones, we can't engage in any activity that brings us gain at their expense. If we want to be members of God's kingdom, this is the only way to live and this is possible when we have salt within. Salt prevents decay and harmonizes. The "salt" that sustains society and bring peace and harmony must be found in the hearts of those who follow Jesus. Salt represents Jesus' nature--his love and justice. Our calling is to embody this "salt" in our lives.

For Discussion
1) Who are the "little ones"?
2) What does salt represent?