Has someone caused you to stumble? Have you caused someone else to stumble? Are you currently causing someone to stumble? What is the penalty for causing someone to stumble? Have you thought about it? Is it too scary to think about? Why do we cause others to stumble?
Causing someone to stumble purposely is a shameful act. It is all about our own selfish desires and having low self-esteem. We mistakenly think that tripping someone else up makes us look better. If we are honest with ourselves, it doesn’t make us feel better either.
Jesus tells us that being a stumbling block for others is not what we should be…for our own good. He says it would be better if we were to tie a big stone around our neck and be thrown into the sea. Can you imagine trying to swim with a large stone tied around your neck? You’re right, you couldn’t. You would drown.
Why does Jesus use such a graphic depiction? When we purposely cause others to stumble, we will drown. Not in water. We will drown in negativity that comes from others, our own guilt (whether now or later), and we may never recover. Being a stumbling block is something we should avoid.
But Jesus isn’t talking about tripping someone up on their way to an interview for their dream job. He is talking about causing them to stumble, and perhaps not getting up again, in their walk of faith. That is the most damning thing we can do. Essentially, when we cause someone to stumble in their faith, we are standing in their way in obtaining a healthy faith and relationship with God. Or, more bluntly, we are opposing God’s will. Rather than being a stumbling block, we should all be encouragers.
I pray we all refuse to be a stumbling block. I pray we choose to encourage one another. I pray each one of us will help others in their walk of faith and stand with God rather than opposing him. Do not be a stumbling block. Encourage one another. Help others with their faith. Stand with God.
Mark 9:42 “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.”
Marty Pressey 