THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

140Although the Pharisees were typically found on the fringe of Jesus’ audiences, here theywere trying to cause the Twelve themselves to stumble. Is it any wonder that Jesus responded tosuch action in the sternest way? After all, these religious leaders were trying to pervert the faithof others.OFFENSES OR OCCASIONS OF STUMBLINGThe Greek word translated “stumbling” or “offenses” (skandalon) means “to trigger atrap” or “contact with which would cause the trap to spring." 2 Although this warning isaddressed to His disciples, it is a strong warning of God's wrath against those who lay a trap todestroy the faith of others.The phrase “these little ones” is a reference of Jesus to either young in age or to thosewho are "babes in Christ," whose faith is young and weak (10:21; Mt 18:6; Mk 10:24).Jesus’ teaching here is that physical death is a far more desirable fate than what isreserved for those whose intent is to destroy the faith of others. The millstone in view here is aheavy stone (ca. forty pounds) used for grinding grain. Drowning a person with a stone tiedabout the neck was a fairly common ancient mode of punishment. To have a millstone hungaround the neck was also a common proverb.When do people cause others to stumble, to sin? While non-Christians may do so throughridicule, shame, persecution, etc., professing Christians do it whenever they bring discredit ontheir religion by inconsistencies of attitude, thought, word or deed. We do it whenever wemake our Christianity unattractive to the world, primarily by hypocrisy, where our conduct is notin keeping with our profession. The world may not understand the doctrines and principles ofbelievers. But the world is very keen about their practice.David was guilty of this sin when he had broken the seventh commandment and taken thewife of Uriah to be his wife. The prophet Nathan said accusingly,"You have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." (2 Sa 12:14).This was also the sin which Paul charged the Jews with when he stated,"the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you." (Ro 2:24).It is the sin which Paul warns us all: