33   And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34   But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. 35   And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36   And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, 37   Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. 38   John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us. 39   But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40   For he that is not against us is for us. 41.   For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. 42   And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Verses 33, 34. Does Jesus still hear and notice the conversation of His disciples? Their reasonings, disputings, evil-speaking, etc., also? Will He some day ask us about them? Were these disciples glad or ashamed to answer His inquiry? Why? Ought we ever talk about anything of which we would be ashamed before Jesus? Was the question they were discussing important in their own eyes? But was it really so important? Is not that too great a question in the minds of too many men today?

Verse 35. Did Jesus teach there was "room at the top," or "room at the bottom?" If one has a true ambition to be great in the kingdom of heaven, what shall he do? Will there not be some surprises at the Lord's Coming when He shall award each one his rank? (1 Cor. 4:5).

Verses 36, 37. Compare this with Matt. 18:1-6. Where does Jesus go for an example of simple, unconscious humility? By "one such little child" does he mean an actual little child? And does He also, and especially, mean some of the grown-ups who believe on Him and who have the humble spirit of a little child (ver. 42)? If we receive such a one, whom do we receive?

Verse 38. Did the mere fact that this man was not in bodily nearness to the Lord Jesus prove that he was not a disciple? Mark 5:18, 19. Were the apostles therefore not hasty in their conclusion? What did they forbid the man to do? Was the man doing a good work? Ought we ever stop any man from doing a good work in the name of Jesus?

Verse 39. Would the mere fact that a man does, or thinks he does, mighty works in Jesus' name prove that he is saved? Matt. 7:22, 23. But are such not really friends, at least so far as their endorsement of Jesus goes?

Verse 40. But is it a matter of indifference therefore whether a man obeys the gospel is added to God's church, and follows the teachings of the New Testament, or not?

Verse 41. What promise does Jesus now make to any and every person who shows a kindness to one of His little ones? But for what reason must such kindness be shown in order to be recognized by Him? If done on any other ground would it have any spiritual value, or express any faith? Consider here the case of Rahab, Josh. 2; Heb. 11:31; Comp. Matt. 25:31-46.

Verse 42. If, on the other hand, a man causes one of Christ's little ones to stumble, what does Jesus say of him? Why would it be better for him? [162] Is his fate to be worse than such a death? Is there a punishment worse than death? Luke 12:5; Heb. 12:28, 29. If a man has incurred such guilt already what can he do? Ps. 51:17; Isa. 1:18; Eph. 1:7. Who is an example? Acts 26:11; 1 Tim. 1:15.

CAUSING TO STUMBLE, AND CAUSES OF STUMBLING.

      This is one of the most solemn warnings of the word of God; the more impressive because from the lips of the gentle, loving Savior. It is twofold: 1. The warning against causing others (especially Christ's little ones) to stumble. 2. The warning against letting anything or person, no matter how dear to us, cause us to stumble. As to the first, Jesus declares that if a man cause one such little child (either a literal child, or one of those humble souls that believe in Jesus) to do wrong--if we tempt them or lead them into sin, we incur a most fearful judgment; by the side of which to be sunk into the sea, a mill-stone tied about the neck, is indeed "better." Let us be exceedingly careful, lest by evil example, or by carelessness, or even by actual inducing, we cause one of the Lord's little ones to sin. Here is the warning to dancing, theatre-going, card-playing, worldly, money-seeking; and self-indulgent Christians! (1 Cor. 8:9-13; Rom. 14:15). "Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jew, or to Greek, or to the church of God." (1 Cor. 10:32). But if already guilty of such enormous transgression, only by sincere repentance and the cleansing of Blood, can we be recovered.

      "Woe Unto the World, because of occasions of stumbling," says the Lord; "for it must needs be that the occasions come"--that, under present conditions, is inevitable. One cannot walk three blocks in a great city without seeing occasions of stumbling: an infamous picture, a vile theatre-poster, an open saloon, an indecently dressed woman, and like advertisements and inducements to sin in word or thought or deed.

      And then He teaches His disciples what to do, how far to go, to rid themselves of occasions of stumbling.

      The Lord Jesus did not teach the easy-going, comfortable view of the fate of the unsaved, so common in this day. His warning is fearful. It does not matter, He says, at what cost you rid yourself of the thing or person that causes you to stumble; it may be a thing or a person dear to you as your own hand or foot, yea, as your eye; the loss of it may leave you maimed, crippled, bleeding, but it is profitable for you. Anything, anything, is better than to meet the judgment of God with guilt; any loss or pain or curtailment of sphere and enjoyment in this life, the severest suffering or privation of life, is far, far preferable to being cast into the eternal, unquenchable fire; into the hell "where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched." What matters is what "Sheol" means; or what the etymology of "Gehenna" is? Those who by quibbling and sophistries are trying to explain away these solemn warnings of the Lord, to make them mean something less terrible than what Jesus here means to impress, are themselves the real stumbling-blocks, enemies and traitors to the souls of men, and are themselves hastening on to the fate they try to hide from the eyes of others. For it they had stood in God's council they would have warned the wicked of their way, and perhaps had been able to turn them away from their doom. (Jer. 23:16-22). A great cause of the easy-going lukewarm, indifferent sort of religion, manifest everywhere, is just this, that professed Christians have ceased to believe in the awfulness of a certain hell. To know salvation I must understand perdition. In proportion as hell is tolerable heaven is negligible. If I do not know how terrible the fate from which to save me Jesus died, I shall never appreciate the cross, nor the Blood, nor the gospel; and repentance will never seem a very pressing matter to me, nor will strict obedience appear very necessary. I will play fast and loose with truth, and duty, and convictions. I shall never know what grace is, nor understand Love. But blinded, careless, indifferent, I shall drift down from the slumber of the world's false security awaken too late. Thanks be to Jesus Christ our Lord that faithfully He has told us the truth about the worst. [163]

Source: Fourth Lord's Day Lesson of April. Lesson 4. April 28, 1918. Jesus Rebukes Selfishness (Mark 9:33-42).