A false charge dismissed and a true crime identified

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Sermon notes 

Mark #48: A false charge and a real crime               Mark 9:38-50

These words are part of the continuing discussion between the Saviour and His disciples that had highlighted their ignorance and pride, v33-34.

It is often easy to be distracted from that painful reality by emphasizing the supposed faults of someone else and expecting to rise in the Saviour’s estimation by reporting a criticism of those supposed faults. Cp Matt 7:1-5. It is to be remembered that others’ behaviour—right or wrong—is not the standard by which we must measure our own. Cp 2Cor 10:12.

I  A FALSE CHARGE THROWN OUT OF COURT BY THE SAVIOUR.

The Saviour responds to John’s words and indicates:

1. The charge the disciples had made was false. They had forbidden him—acting to belittle and curtail the ministry of this man, related Greek noun for ‘dwarf’. The basis of this was very simply that he had not allied himself with them. It may be that they were a little rankled by their own recent failures which were painfully highlighted here, v38, 28! The Lord clearly had other faithful servants who did not belong to the little group He had called together around Himself. The cause of Christ is always bigger than our own little group/association.
2. The reasons why they were wrong to rebuke him are given.
3. He was no harm to the cause of Christ, v39. He was in fact serving in Jesus’ name! He is identified with Christ. Clearly too he was ministering in the miracle power of the Saviour. This was validated by the disciples themselves as they saw him exercising Christ’s power over the devil! The evidence of his life was that he was on the Lord’s side. He was not going to speak/do harm/evil to Christ or His cause.
4. He was in fact on their side, v40. He was not working against the Saviour and His disciples so he must be considered as one of the same side. This was the simple logic the Saviour would have them use.
5. The least service for the Saviour is noted and rewarded, v41. How foreign to the inclination of God in such matters was the thoughts/acts of the disciples! Here was a man doing much more for God’s work than providing a cup of water yet they had rebuked/belittled him. Rather than offer encouragement and support to this man for Jesus’ sake they had in fact acted wrongly toward him.
6. The Saviour comes to the defence of His maligned servant. Note how the Lord rebukes His own disciples for their behaviour toward another of His servants. John, the beloved disciple, is rebuked. He had spoken on the behalf of the others—we, v38—and the Lord rebukes them all.

II  THERE IS A REAL CRIME HERE TO BE GUARDED AGAINST.

The Saviour warns of a real crime they were to be on their guard against, v42-50.

1. The serious nature of the crime in view, v42. It is a serious matter to cause offence to the people of God. The Saviour speaks of little ones. In the context He has employed a child to make a point, v36. He is referring to little believers. Perhaps this is also an affectionate view, from the perspective of His Father, of His people at large. Rather die than cause God’s people—young or old—to stumble!
2. Stern action against self to prevent hindrances in our own lives. Again this exhibits the serious nature of the crime the Saviour is speaking of. The Saviour speaks strongly of being a hindrance to ourselves! Speaking metaphorically He is referring to the works of the hands, eyes, feet. When our actions cause a hindrance to spiritual progress and occasion a fall into sin, then we are to cut those things off. This is a description of the ongoing process of self-denial in the life of the Christian.
3. A real crime in the Christian’s life, v50. As He concludes the discussion the Saviour highlights two additional matters that the disciples need to beware of.
4. To lose our salt. This is the loss of what the Saviour calls good, v50. The purifying, preserving, benficial influence of salt is in view. This is a loss that cannot be remedied! Cp Luke 14:35. The Christian is rendered practically useless in this life when this loss occurs. Again there is a call to take every measure necessary to keep ourselves from contamination.
5. To disrupt the peace of God’s people. A ‘breach of the peace’ is a crime God’s people commit frequently. The disciples had committed it here by acting contrary to the will/word of Christ as they did toward a faithful servant of Christ and quarrelling with one whom the Lord had no quarrel with.

III   A SOLEMN REALITY TO BE CONSIDERED.

The Lord speaks in terms here that are truly sobering. He speaks to His disciples with solemn words.

1. The non-practice of self-denial to avoid sin leads to hell. It is the mark of the true child of God that such self-denial occurs in order to prevent sin in others and in ourselves. Cp v49—every one who will not deny self but lives to cause these offences comes to such an end.
2. A description of the fire of hell.
3. It is never quenched, v43, 44, 45, 48. Note the Saviour’s repetition! Hell is eternal. The punishment of sin is eternal.
4. It is fire in which the worm dieth not, v44, 46, 48. The worm is an analogy of death/destruction. It is unending destruction—eternally being destroyed but never annihilated.
5. The language of v49. This fire is not as ordinary fire which destroys. Like salt it preserves!! The reference to the sacrifice is a reminder that the sinner eternally is making atonement for their sin by their destruction. There is in the reference to salt in this context a reminder that the imposition of this sentence is holy, just and good (Rom 7:12).