Mark 11:20-24

Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

The New King James Version (Mk 11:20–24). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

I have already mentioned through these devotions from Mark, the many times Jesus is teaching His twelve disciples lessons they need to learn. Many of these lessons and teachings can be applicable to believers today, but then we find the occasion when the teaching is very specific to the twelve themselves and pertinent to what they would face in the weeks and months ahead. This dialogue is one of those. It is a directive and a promise to these men that will shortly face impossible situations, that only God can change or overcome. He is speaking about what they will need to overcome the forces of evil as the church will begin to take shape and begin to spread throughout the entire known world. Many today have claimed these verses as God's promise that He will give us anything we want if we just ask in faith. Now, although faith in prayer is needed always, and can move mountains (metaphoric), it is not because we believe it, but God who chooses to give it. This instruction to the twelve also was for a time only, as we know they all faced hardships, imprisonments, and martyrdom. No amount of faith was able to change those situations, only give them the strength to face them.

Mark 11:15-19

So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. When evening had come, He went out of the city.

The New King James Version (Mk 11:15–19). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

After cursing the fig tree, Jesus enters the Temple. We can only imagine what the scene was like, and I wonder if any have ever wondered what it might have looked like? I know that Jesus was not nitoicking, He was obviously appalled by what He saw! Everywhere, there were those who were profiting off the people and the leaders did not stop it because they were getting their cut. Jesus made it clear that His "house is a house of prayer for all nations."

There was an expectation of holiness in the Temple, for it was a picture of the true temple, the body of Christ. If Jesus expected the temple in Jerusalem to be holy, how much more does He expect this temple to be?

Mark 11:12-14

Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

And His disciples heard it.

The New King James Version (Mk 11:12–14). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

It would seem to some that Jesus had a bit of a human experience and cursed the fig tree out of emotion. Do we think that the Son of God was given to uncontrollable outbursts of emotion? Far be it from Him. Rather, He sees a lesson here for His disciples and for the Jews at large. For it has commonly been taught by many that the fig tree represented Israel as a whole and they were cursed because they did not exhibit fruit when the Master came to them. Whatever it may be, the point of this event is that Jesus cursed the tree because it had no fruit for Him! Whatever anyone may think or regardless of any theological perspective, Jesus is not anyone's patsy. When He comes again, He is coming in judgment! (Rev. 19:11-16). The world may believe that if they just love people, Jesus is their buddy. They may think that His forgiveness is universal and that they can hold to their sin. They may even believe that they can claim Him as Savior and live a fruitless life, but when He comes, He will be looking for fruit.

Mark 11:11

11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

The New King James Version (Mk 11:11). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

Unique to the gospel of Mark, this verse speaks to the unbelief of the Sanhedren. The city and all the people were hailing Jesus as the rightful heir to the kingly throne of David, and so naturally Jesus would continue through the gates of the city right up to the temple, but when He came to it, there was no one waiting for Him. Where the people had hope, the rulers had none. They missed the hour of their visitation (Luke 18:44). I have always said that God is a God of second chances, and I believe that to be true, but it is also not an exact statement. Sometimes God allows one opportunity for some to see the truth and after they miss it, hardness of heart, unbelief, even death. The scripture says that "Behold, now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2). How tragic for the Jews, and then again, how wonderful for us? "I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles" (Ro 11:11).

Mark 11:7-10

7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:“Hosanna!‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord!Hosanna in the highest!”

The New King James Version (Mk 11:7–10). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

The riding into Jerusalem on a colt was prophecied by Zechariah chapter nine verse nine. The prophecy also specifies that it is Messiah King who would ride into the city. The people who were around also knew the prophecies and the scriptures and were more than willing to acknowledge Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies. So they welcomed Him with open arms and treated Him as royalty.

There are times and events in our lives that truly are transforming of themselves. There are things we experience in Christ which will leave such an impression upon us that we wish it would never end. But then time passes and we find ourselves forgetting just what that experience felt like, or what it accomplished, and we begin to waiver in our faith. We need a constant reminder of the power and majesty of Jesus Christ

Mark 11:4-6

4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. ”The New King James Version (Mk 11:4–6). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

So is anyone surprised that the disciples found the colt exactly where and how Jesus told them? Were the disciples surprised to find everything exactly as He said? No! For they would be the biggest fools to go on this excursion if they didn't believe Him. What about us, do we really believe what God says? Personally, I believe He speaks to us regularly, but are we listening? The things He puts on our hearts, the principals we read about in the Bible, they are His will for us. If we ignore Him we are saying that we do not believe Him, and it seems that many today who claim Him as Savior do not really believe Him, for they are not obeying His commands, and Jesus says if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).

Mark 11:1-3

11 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”

The New King James Version (Mk 11:1–3). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

I have always been amazed by this event, seeing Jesus did not go ahead to prepare for the colt, nor did He appear to the owners. Yet, I have also seen through the years, that God has people everywhere and in all circumstances, who are ready in a moment to do His bidding, even if that means giving up a colt. But, what I find even more incredible, is that many who say they follow Him and trust Him for salvation, are never ready nor willing to give anything to God's service! Let us contemplate that thought.

Mark 10:46-52

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

The New King James Version (Mk 10:46–52). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

Bartimaeus is a remarkable picture of the person who comes to Christ in faith and changes the direction of their life. To me what sets this man apart from many other people in the New Testament that are healed by Jesus, is that His healing was for the purpose of becoming a disciple of Jesus. Allow me to explain. For a blind man, Bartimaeus saw clearly what many with sight never did. When He heard that Jesus was coming by in the way, he got as close as he could and began to cry out, "Son of David, have mercy on me." His acknowledgement of Jesus as the legitimate heir of the throne of David is unquestionable. His assessment of the power of Jesus to do miracles was also unquestionable to the man, who had already made up his mind concerning Jesus of Nazareth. Everything he had heard about Jesus, and his trust in His kingship was contemplated and solidified in his heart. His persistence even when scolded to be quiet is a testimony of Bartimaeus' faith. But now allow me to propose this idea: Bartimaeus already knew he would follow Jesus and so when he gets an audience with the Master, he is asked by Jesus what he wants Him to do for him (like Jesus doesn't know or is incapable of discerning the man's ailment), and Bartimaeus says that "I may receive my sight." It is right here at that very moment (the healing, void of any touching, mud, spittle, etc. that we've seen in other such cases) Jesus says to him "go your way..." and Bartimaeus does indeed go his way, the way of following Jesus which he had already made up his mind to do, he just couldn't see how to do it blind.

Mark 10:46

Now they came to Jericho.

The New King James Version (Mk 10:46). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

In their way to Jerusalem, Jesus stops at Jericho. This was the same Jericho that Joshua was commanded by God to march around for seven days and on the last day when the priests blew the rams horn, the walls came straight down. What a marvelous day for the Israelites as they began to conquer the promised land. But our Lord also has connections to Jericho, for it was Rahab the harlett who was saved at the fall of Jericho because she hid the Israelite spies and they promised her that if she hung a red cord out her window they would save her. She trusted God's people and was indeed saved and her family. But the most amazing thing is that this same Rahab is in the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:6), for she married into the kingly line of Judah.

Mark 10:35-40

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”

The New King James Version (Mk 10:35–40). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

The previous verses told us that the disciples were astonished and fearful as they followed Jesus to Jerusalem. Now suddenly, two of them want to be elevated to a status of sitting on His right and left hand when He comes into His glory. For James and John this did not seem like an odd request, nor any request ridiculous to ask of the Master. The disciples may not have understood many of the things Jesus talked about (His suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection among a few), but they did not lack boldness and faith when it came to their Messiah. They did not display any reservations when the opportunity arose and He accommodated them. Even though these men had no real idea of what they were asking, Jesus never turns them away. That is the way He is with us. We may not fully understand what we ask of Him, but He is still gentle and kind. He wants us to ask big things. He does not want us to grow so wise in our own eyes that we do not come to Him with our requests. He wants us to have that childlike faith and be willing to ask for the big things, the impossible things.

Mark 10:32-34

Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

The New King James Version (Mk 10:32–34). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

The disciples were astonished that Jesus was heading for Jerusalem, especially considering the way the Jews displayed hostility toward Him. But as they followed Him and they came closer, that astonishment turned to fear. It was then that Jesus took them aside and began to educate them about the crucifixion and resurrection, yet, they were not able to understand what He meant (Luke 18:31-34).

Sometimes in our own spiritual walk we also become fearful or astonished by the hostility that is displayed toward those in Christ. There is always a natural aversion to the righteous truth and those that are in Christ, suffer many things. There is a difference for us compared to the disciples, because we know the truth and are living after the cross and the empty grave. We do not need to fear because we have the comforter (Holy Spirit) living within us.

Mark 10:28-30

Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

The New King James Version (Mk 10:28–31). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

After Jesus finished His dissertation about riches and how difficult it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God, Peter pipes right up, and reminds Jesus that they have left everything to follow Him. What Jesus says in response should be a Clarion call for the church. In His response, Jesus clarifies what true riches are in comparison to the false riches of the world. The rich man that walked away from following Jesus saw his riches as a blessing from God and as such found it unwise to give them away. But those riches only succeed in bringing one further away from following Jesus. They manipulate our emotions and in many cases cause one to commit idolatry. The real riches will be an hundredfold Jesus says, and they are the lives and homes and experiences that we share together in the Body of Christ. When He says wives and homes, He is speaking not of a literal blessing of more of the same that was given up, but the sharing of the blessings that those who God moves to share, will indeed (Acts 4:34). strangely to us is that He includes in this list of earthly blessings, persecutions. This He adds because of the healing and strengthening properties of such, for they make us like gold tried in the fires. In this life you shall have trouble Jesus said (John 16:33), but be if good cheer, for He has overcome the world. Every persecution drives us closer to the loving arms of Jesus, and in the age to come, everlasting life.

Mark 10:23-27

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is 2for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Two things stand out in this passage, one is unique to Mark's gospel: that He refers to His disciples as children in verse twenty four. This would be a direct reference to their immaturity of faith, the second found in all three synoptic gospels, is the disciples astonishment to Jesus' statements regarding riches. The popular belief among the Jews was that riches are a blessing by God to those that live righteously. Abraham, David, and Job, were righteous men that God blessed with monetary wealth.

Mark 10:19-22

Mark 10:19–22 (NKJV): 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

In his quest for eternal life, the rich man is given the second half of the decalogue which deals with our attitude toward our fellow man. Jesus said nothing about the first four commandments as He already knew the man's problem - his riches. Just as the disciples were astonished by Jesus' statement regarding riches, the rich man also saw his own riches as a blessing from God and to give them up completely, was crazy. But here now is the crux of the matter and something every single person needs to know; following Jesus is a single minded commitment that requires surrendering our entire being to Him. Many do not agree with this, as the "easy believism" movement has cheapened salvation. However, this is not an opinion of a theological position, but the very words and warning of Christ. If Jesus, thought that anyone could come to Him for eternal life with a half hearted commitment, He would have gladly accepted the man, for the narrative tells us that He loved him. For everyone that comes to Him today who is not willing to give up sin or things, can have no part with Him.

Mark 10:17-18

Mark 10:17–18 (NKJV): 17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

Universalist salivate over this verse, for in their ignorance they believe they have found the scripture that disproves the divinity of Jesus Christ. But far from denying His divinity is Jesus' question to the young rich man - "why do you call me good?" We must first assess what Jesus was doing here and why He would turn the young man's question into an inquisition of the understanding of "good". For Jesus, every conversation and request of man was an opportunity for a deeper consideration. Thus, when this man who truly wants to know how to inherit eternal life comes to Jesus, he does not come with a contrite heart but a religious one, hoping to find some secret to acquire what he desires, and used flattery (Good teacher) with the Lord. Jesus presents an opportunity for this man to consider what is truly good. He tells him that only God is good, and not to say that He Himself is not, but that through this prodding of the man's intellect, the man will see that the one he is asking such a question and calling "Good teacher", also displays all the characteristics of God. Perhaps for you and I, we should consider carefully and remind ourselves often that the one we follow is God and is truly good in every way.

Mark 10:13-17

Mark 10:13–17 (NKJV): 13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

It seems that most cultures have their "rite of passage" where children graduate to an acceptable place in adulthood, or at least recognized to be on their way. The Jewish people even today have bat mitzva where the young child becomes an adult in the learning circles of the faith. Much attention is given to their nurturing, where they a finally recognized by the faith community. Jesus, contrary to the times and even the opinion of Pharisees and scribes, or the protesting by the disciples, lectures them all on the importance and the place for children. What He is establishing here is that there is no level of achievement, no indoctrination, no age or maturity needed to come to Jesus, just childlike faith. This is all any of us need, a faith that sees Jesus for who He is, will trust Him with our very lives, and desire to be with Him. When these things are present, everything else falls into place; our sanctification and our conformity to Him. "And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them." What better place to be than in the arms of Jesus.

Mark 10:2-12

Mark 10:2–12 (NKJV): 2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him.

3 And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.”

5 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11 So He said to them,  “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

The Pharisees came and asked Jesus, and really the word "again" should be in this text as well, seeing this seems to be their preoccupation. The narrative says, they did this testing Him. The question they put to Him hoping to trip Him up was about divorce, but Jesus knowing their heart's and seeing right through their trickery, snags them with their own scriptures. First He asks them what Moses said about it and they tell Him from Deut 24 that Moses allowed a bill of divorce to be granted, but Jesus reveals something about that decision that demonstrates His power and wisdom - He allowed it because of the hardness of their heart's. He then shows God's desire for marriage by teaching back to the beginning of Genesis.

How sacred and wonderful marriage is! Two people become one flesh? A relationship designed by God to reveal the kind of relationship we are to have with God in Christ, and yet, how flippantly we view it. To the world it is a joke and abused, in the church it is sacrificed upon the altar of convenience and personal desire, finding every unbiblical reason to end it.

Mark 10:1

Mark 10:1 (NKJV): 10 Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.

Can we ignore the words "again"? Jesus, doing what Jesus does, the Father's will, does it regardless of the circumstances or problems He encounters. We can learn much from this word "again", for in its context it demonstrates what we need in our call to service - persistence. "The multitudes gathered to Him again." "He taught them again." Nothing stopped Jesus from the one thing most important to Him and His Father. Oh! that we would have this mindset as we serve Him in this world.

Mark 9:49-50

Mark 9:49–50 (NKJV): 49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.

This text in the NKJV substitutes seasoned for salted, which then gives the impression that every time season or it's derivative "seasoned" is used, the Greek substantiates it. But not so! The KJV below uses the correct usage.

Mark 9:49–50 (KJV): 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

There is an allusion to the tabernacle sacrifices here, and also something not well understood and in some cases rejected by the modern church. Metaphoricly, fire is a part of the Christian life and represents purification in suffering. This is not suffering for our personal sin, because that is covered under the blood of Christ. The suffering I'm speaking about is a right of passage for all who will live holy lives (2 Tim. 3:12). As with the sacrifices presented by the priest in the tabernacle, we present ourselves a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:2) holy, and acceptable. The fires that Jesus reminded the disciples of three times in the last paragraph, were the penal fires for those who are without Christ. For us, we are salted with fire everyday. To reject this salting is to reject God's plan and to leave our cross that we are bidden to take up daily (Luke 9:23). If our salt looses it's saltiness (a metaphor for faith and hope), how will it be revived? The conclusion then is to have salt (faith) within yourself and peace with one another.

Mark 9:43-48

Mark 9:43–48 (NKJV): 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 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 lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 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, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— 48 where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’

This section comprises both hyperbole and fact. This form of speech was very popular in Biblical times and used quite extensively by Jesus when He wanted to be emphatic. The hyberbole is seen in the acts of the hands, feet, and eye, which Jesus says to cut off and pluck out. If this were to be taken literally, Jesus would be advocating self mutilation. Rather, He is using this form of speech to show how important an holy walk with God is. So in other words, be careful what you do (hands), be careful where you go (feet), and be careful what you look at (eye). But then at the end of each section, He quotes Isaiah 66:24, "where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." Three times in fact. Now, Isaiah's passage is not metaphoric but a prophecy of God about judgment and hell, a very real event.

In the context of this passage, the disciples were being warned against offending one who follows Christ. Now He shows them that their behavior toward a fellow brother or sister in Christ is of most importance to God. Here, prior to the cross Jesus uses the normative warnings like that of Isaiah 66:24 to show the seriousness of a wrong attitude as well as malice. For our modern time, one who is in Christ would not be in jeopardy of hell fire. However, they also cannot maintain such an attitude, because as one who has been converted, they are a new creation in Christ. You and I must be very wise in our discernment regarding our own attitudes, because it does matter to God. If as Jesus says in this chapter, it would be better if a millstone were hung around his neck and he (the one who offends one of these little ones) be thrown into the depths of the sea, I take it that God hates it when anyone offends a member of the body of Christ.