Title: Hand, Foot and the Eye

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:43-46
“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— ⁴⁴ where Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ ⁴⁵ 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— ⁴⁶ where Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.”

Main idea: The hand might suggest our deeds, the foot our walk, and the eye the things we crave for. Unless they are dealt with severely, they can lead to eternal ruin.

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off”
Jesus tells three powerful hyperboles to warn us of sin’s danger to others as well as to ourselves. We know they are hyperboles—not to be taken literally—because the Bible forbids bodily mutilation (Deut 14:1; 23:1; 1 Kgs 18:28; Zech 13:6). Things we value, like eyes, hands, and feet—should not stand in the way of eternal life. The point is that the hand, foot, or eye should not be used as instruments for sin and should be severed from such a use. Whatever in one’s life tempts one to be untrue to God must be discarded, promptly and decisively, even as a surgeon amputates a hand or a leg in order to save a person’s life.

The reality of future punishment
The worm and the fire are symbols of real things. There is a real hell, and that hell is eternal. “Hell” is the New Testament word used for the place of eschatological punishment (Matt 5:29-30; 10:28; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5). Jesus said more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. The Greek word gehenna comes from the Hebrew ge-hinnom, “Valley of Hinnom,” a valley south of Jerusalem where Kings Ahaz (2 Chr 28:3) and Manasseh (2 Chr 33:6) offered child sacrifices to the pagan god Molech. Later, during the reign of king Josiah, the valley had become the city’s garbage dump where fire burned constantly to destroy the garbage and the worms infesting it. Thus “Gehenna” accurately described the place of fire that shall never be quenched. “Valley of Hinnom” became a symbol of final judgment (Isa 31:9; Jer 7:31-32; 19:6). It is a place of unquenchable fire (Matt 3:12; Mark 9:43), a lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 20:10,14-15), an eternal fire (Matt 18:8-9; 25:41), a furnace of fire (Matt 13:42), an outer darkness (Matt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30), and an eternal punishment (Matt 25:46). Hell is prepared for the devil, his angels, and all those who do not know Christ (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:9-10).

Application
All who decided to follow Jesus must remove any stumbling blocks that cause sin. Jesus did not mean to literally cut off a part of the body. Just cutting off a limb that committed sin or gouging out an eye that looked lustfully would still not get rid of sin, for that begins in the heart and mind. He meant that any relationship, practice, or activity that leads to sin should be stopped. Jesus requires painful discipline from his true followers. Giving up a relationship, or habit that is against God’s will may seem just as painful as cutting off a hand. Our high goal, however, is worth any sacrifice; loyalty to Christ is worth any possible loss. Nothing should stand in the way of faith.

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father, I thank you that You cares for us. Help us Lord to walk with You in reality of the future judgement. In Jesus Name Amen.