As presidential politics begins to consume America, Islamophobia has taken the country by storm and there has been much talk about keeping America safe from Sharia Law. Some are concerned that (somehow) Sharia Law will supersede the US Constitution. And, they are concerned that barbarism will begin to trump the rule of law. But if you read the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus seems to suggest something far more troubling that Sharia Law.
43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
Cutting off someone’s hand because they stole something is a harsh punishment by our standards. And as bad as Sharia Law may be, isn’t it worse for someone to be told to cut off their own hand because they stole something?
But this is exactly what Jesus seemingly proposes: that if we sin we should cut off the body part that causes us to sin. Yet, all of us have sinned…all of us have fallen short of the glory of God. So, all of us have something that needs to be cut off, right? Have you cut of your hand? (I highly doubt that…and I certainly hope you haven’t.)
So, what do we do with Jesus’ command? Listen and let me know what you think?
