196. Simple Believers

Short Meditations in Mark’s Gospel: 196. Simple Believers   

Mk 9:42    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.

What we have here is part of the ongoing flow of action and conversation that goes right back to 9:33,34 where we read, “They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.”  They were back in Capernaum where Jesus had challenged them on their discussion about who was the greatest. He had then challenged them to be servant-hearted (9:35) and, taking a little child from the group in the house, challenged them to be childlike in how they respond to others (9:36,37). John had somewhat defensively leapt in and basically said, but surely we’re not to accept everyone, like the guy we stopped working in your name (9:38). To this diversion Jesus had simply said isn’t it better having him on our side than against us? (9:39-41).

Having dealt with one case of the disciples rejecting people, he now turns back to the little child and basically says, “And if you cause one of these little ones to turn away from me you will be in big trouble!” This is a direct follow on. They had just caused a believing man operating a deliverance ministry to stop ministering (and who knows what that left him thinking and feeling!) and so he now brings the child to the fore again and says, don’t let anyone of you turn an innocent believing child away from me.

Now I think that could be applied to life situations in a variety of ways. Where there is a believing child or young person, who in the simplicity of their thinking has come to faith, Jesus warns parents, teachers and anyone else for that matter, if you try and dash their simple naïve faith, you are in trouble!  It doesn’t matter if they are simple and it doesn’t matter if they are naive in their faith. If they believe in Jesus that is enough (they will have plenty of time as they grow up to mature their faith and come to greater understanding).

But then there are young Christians generally who, again, may appear simple and naïve in their beliefs and you wish that they would mature, but don’t do or say anything that will quench their faith, because Jesus accepts them just like they are and he’s quite happy that at this moment they appear to take everything on face value without thinking or questioning anything. Their time for developing, changing and growing up will come, so don’t decry them or say things to put them down that might destroy their faith and leave them cynical doubters. Love them as they are.