THE GOSPEL: Believe God, and Leave the Consequences to Him!

Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. (Mark 9:33-34; Luke 9:46) At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1)

As a reminder, Jesus had been explaining to the disciples that He indeed was the coming Messiah God had promised, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) But His Rule in Israel was not to establish a temporary kingdom on earth or to overthrow the Roman government, who had authority over Israel at that time.  First, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” (Mark 9:31) Next He would say, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ (John 20:17) And then finally, when the seventh trumpet will sound, after all the tribulation that must come on this earth comes, He along with all of us who believed the Word of God and were saved and raptured out of this world before the tribulation came, will return with Him, Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”  (Revelations 11:15) 

Like most of us, the multitudes of people who had followed Jesus were wanting that kingdom to come now, not later.  That's one of the many reasons the multitudes of people stopped following Him, because He kept talking about what was to come "after" His death.  They didn't want to wait for that.  Jesus now explains to His disciples and some others who are still following Him what's required of all of us, as we "wait" on this earth: And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) For he who is least among you all will be great. (Luke 9:48) Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” (Mark 9:36-37; Luke 9:47-48; Matthew 18:2) and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. (Matthew 18:3-5)

What's so significant about a child?  They love unconditionally and believe without question!  That's what being a disciple, a follower of Christ Jesus requires.  He came telling The Truth, of Who He is, Who God is, and what we must do to have a relationship with Him.  The facts were very difficult for many to believe and accept back then, Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (John 6:60, 66) And sadly, it's very difficult for many people to believe and accept today.  But, as the saying goes, "it is what it is"! And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! (Revelations 19:6)

Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side. (Mark 9:38-40; Luke 9:49-50) For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. (Mark 9:41) There were a lot of people "jumping on the bandwagon", trying to mimic Jesus by casting out demons and performing miracles.  Just as the Apostle Peter would later testify when asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” (Acts 4:7) His response, and the reason that anyone who uses Christ Jesus' name is able to perform any miracle, was let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. (Acts 4:10)  The Apostle Paul would explain further, Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. (Philippians 1:15-18)

Basically, Christ is telling the disciples then and us now, don't get caught up in what men say and do in His name, as long as it's helping someone and spreading the gospel message.  God will deal with the heart and intentions of the person; For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)  Jesus makes it clear that we are to leave the consequences of all men's actions to God; “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6; Mark 9:42) Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (Matthew 18:7) 

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ [Isaiah 66:24] And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’ [Isaiah 66:24] And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ [Isaiah 66:24] (Mark 9:42-48; Matthew 18:6-9)

God does not want us to dismember ourselves, but He's making a very clear point that the temptation to sin does not always come from without, but also from within.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (I Corinthians 9:27) “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” (Mark 9:49-50) “You are the salt of the earth!" (Mathew 5:13) AMEN