38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
42 “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. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 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.”
There are many triathlons and marathons in the summer, people have been training all year if not several years for these events. People running and some like myself walking in 5ks and 10ks. At these events there are water stations. People handing out cups of cold water to the runners. I have heard some people say these people even help encourage them to keep up their running as they are starting to tier out. Just the act of giving someone a cold glass of water to help them continue the race.
But this text should really be an endightment against every parent. Jesus talks about leading little children astray. This could be a Sunday School teacher teaching evolution or a Parent denying their child the education in Sunday School and Church. This is even against parents who neglect daily devotions with their children. For those of you who are not parents, this is also about your instructions through words and deeds.
If you have neglected to instruct your children it is not too late. If you have grand children you can always instruct them. No matter how you have failed and even if you need a millstone tied around your neck, turn to the cross. Do your own daily devotions and listen to the word of God not for instruction but for forgiveness. Christ came into the world, sure to teach us, but most importantly to die for you. He took that large millstone around his own neck. He took your sins to his cross and died in your place. This gift of forgiveness is given to you just as much as it is offered to our children.
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