May 1

Mark 9:38-50 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea..Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:42, 50).

Observation

The verses I have selected here are taken from the beginning and the end of the section where Jesus' deals with the topic of dealing with sin. Even though most of us tend to associate the consequence of our sins with ourselves alone, Jesus points out an important aspect relating to the consequence of our sin. To put it simply, sins have a ripple effect beyond the point of origin--the person committing the sin. Thus, Jesus begins his teaching on sin with a stern warning against those who might cause others to sin and concludes the section with the final phrase that reads, "Be at peace with one another" (9:50). So, here is a question I want to pose: In what ways have I either hindered someone's walk with God or caused someone to sin against God?

Application

Throughout this day I want to be mindful of the fact that my sin can cause others to stumble.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for your unconditional, unwavering love for me. Others might not know my true self and the darkness within me, but you do. Yet, you love me and that blows me away. So, in return, I too want to love you and be faithful to you. However, I must confess that I can't do this on my own no matter how hard I might try or how sincere I might be. I know this because all along I have been sincere in my desire to love and serve you faithfully but I have failed too many times to count or remember. So, Holy Spirit, would you empower me with the grace of Jesus Christ to live this day in a manner worthy of my calling as your beloved child and the salt in this world? I pray all this in the name of my loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

--KJ