“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certianly not lose their reward. “If anyone causes one of the 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. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter maimed than with two hands to go to hell, where the fire never goes out. 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. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one one than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where “the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.” Everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Exploring the possible themes for the text
Here are the possible themes for the text and it depends on where one is focussing on:
- The importance of collaborative or shared ministry (vv 38-39)
- Warning against putting a stubling-block before the little ones (vs 42)
- Watchfulness of things that causes you to stuble. (vv 43-49)
- Cost of discipleship (vv 43-49)
- Being salt to the world. (vs 50)
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