Today’s devotion covers Mark 9:42-50. We will focus on verses 47 and 48.
“If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.” Mark 9:47-48.
This Scripture contains some of the scariest images and warnings concerning hell in Scripture: the millstone around the neck, being cast in the sea, the cutting off a hand, foot and eye, and the worm which does not die and the fire which is not quenched. Who is eager to preach, teach, or write about it?
We tend to prefer the carrot of heaven rather than the stick of hell to motivate people to proper living. And yet, as Scripture presents and teaches, we need to fully present and teach both heaven and hell.
It is remarkable that in Mark 9:42-50 Jesus mentions hell three times and the following phrase three times: “where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED”. Jesus did not hide hell from us. Rather, Jesus pounded the table about the very real existence of hell and how radical and severe our actions should be to avoid hell.
However, Jesus is not literally advising us to cut off our hand, foot, or eye. And, that is not because it is too severe or too radical an action. If we could actually do so to avoid hell, it indeed would be well worth it. Rather, we could do so, and not only cut off one hand, one foot, and one eye, but we could cut off both hands, both feet, and both eyes, and we would still sin and stumble and deserve and receive hell.
In summary, Jesus is not providing the method by which we can avoid sin and stumbling. Jesus is providing the value of avoiding hell. Jesus states that “it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell”. See Mark 9:47.
Everything that we do in life should be done with consideration to the value of avoiding hell and the value of obtaining heaven. We previously read the phrase in Mark 8:35: “but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Concerning this phrase, in a recent devotion, I wrote: “It certainly does not mean to foolishly waste your life so that you literally lose it. Jesus is not talking about suicide nor intentional recklessness. (Just like Jesus is not here talking about literally cutting off a hand, foot, or eye.) Rather, it means to wisely spend your life in services to our LORD and others to fulfill your ministry, rather than selfishly spending your life to satisfy your own personal lusts and desires. Paul states: “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:5-8. (Emphasis added.)”.
Hearing or reading about hell is certainly uncomfortable and piercing just like it was for those in Acts 2 who heard that Jesus whom they crucified was raised from the dead and was exalted as Lord and Christ, but it can lead to salvation. “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” Acts 2:37-39.
Likewise, the jailer trembled with fear and fell down before Paul and Silas, “and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:30-31.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 