A Gospel Enquiry
Introduction
I read recently that the Kingdom of God is an action in society. Mark’s Gospel is shaped like a hinge. The first half of the Gospel is a movement away from Jerusalem. Then Jesus turns around and heads back to Jerusalem after Peter’s profession of faith in Jesus as God’s Son. It is on that journey that Jesus teaches his followers about how to enter God’s Kingdom.
The Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.
‘But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck.
‘And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out.
‘And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
‘And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out.
‘For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you season it again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.’ (Mark 9:41-50)
The Enquiry
See
- What does Jesus reveal about the purpose of life?
- Why does Jesus speak to his disciples – and us – in this way?
- Examine the context for this passage in Mark’s Gospel. What does Jesus say and do that reveal the nature and outcomes of the battle between good and evil in his life and the lives of his followers, including us?
Judge
- What do you think of Jesus’ worldview?
- Which situations in the world reflect what Jesus speaks about in this Gospel reading?
- Jesus has drawn the line in the sand, so to speak: on which side do you want to stand? Are the people you love standing there with you?
Act
- What do you want to change in the world so that good triumphs and evil is defeated?
- Which small action can you take that will contribute to bringing about this change?
- Who can you involve in your action and how, when and how often will you get them to participate in your action?
Image Source: Public domain image pickpik.com CC0 1.0 UNIVERSAL