Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
MONDAY, August 10 (Laurence of Rome)
Mark 9:42-50. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?
This is a mystical conclusion to a troubling teaching. Jesus has just told his followers that if their hand, foot, or eye causes them to sin to cut it off or pluck it out. It is better, he says, to enter heaven lame or blind than to remain in sin and be cast out. At least he didn't say to pluck out your heart or your mind if they cause you to sin. I'd be in serious trouble there.
But this teaching is troubling on another level also. It is hard for me to imagine that Jesus, who healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, and constantly forgave sinners of all sorts and conditions, would advocate self-mutilation. Even those who take the Bible most literally generally draw a line here.
Jesus is using hyperbole to make a very important point: one's relationship with God is serious business and it will take serious effort. To use a common expression of a similar vein, it will "cost you an arm and a leg." Anyone who thinks otherwise is like salt that has no ability to season.
The self-promotion and self-help ways of salvation spiral us further into the abyss. There is no other way but sacrifice.
-Eugene H. Peterson
PRAY for the Diocese of Sabah (South East Asia)
Ps 89:1-18 * 89:19-52; 2 Samuel 13:23-39; Acts 20:17-38
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
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