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Mark 9:42
In Mark 9:42 Jesus picks up where He left off before John inserted his plea about the man who was healing in the name of Jesus but was not known to them. Jesus had been speaking about the desire of His disciples to be the best or first; He has instructed them that to first you must be last/servant of others (Mark 9:35). Jesus gives a warning in Mark 9:42 declaring, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” The children/little ones represent the purity of innocence in the LORD. To harm or lead one of these astray appears to be one of the most punishable sins in the eyes of Jesus.
This is a promise that Jesus favors the innocent.
This is a command to respect and support the “little children” of God, not just physically, but those who are children in their spiritual walk with the LORD.
The little children are innocent, playful, and with no cares in the worries of life. These little children represent the purity in Christ Jesus and are to be respected as such in caring for them in the eyes of God. But also are those who are new in their walk with the LORD through their salvation in Christ Jesus. It is our responsibility as maturing Christians to support and encourage those who are new in salvation. To lead them astray is to lead them into eternal condemnation; “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea” (Mark 9:42, NKJV).
Dear LORD,
Please help us to understand and realize that the little children are a representation of Your purity in this world, and that to abuse them is to abuse You – a sin that you have made known to be worthy of death. But help us also to realize and understand that this is applied to those who have recently given their hearts to Jesus in salvation, and our support of them is necessary for their growth – and ours in our relationships with You and the righteousness that You give to all who will put their faith in You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.