KJV - Luke 17:1-2 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! (2) It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
I typically use the old King James version, which is what I used above, however, the NIV version sometimes words things a little easier to understand quickly so I want to use that version today.
NIV - Luke 17:1-2 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. (2) It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Jesus was a realist. He understood people. In fact, he understood people far better than we give him credit, for he had a hand in our creation. As much as His and God’s desire for all men to be saved, he KNEW that was not real. He knew that when he left heaven to fulfill his role on earth, he would be rejected by MOST. He knew that the people that he preached to, healed, helped and cried over would ultimately, in the end, shout “crucify him”. Jesus is and was a realist.
It is that matter-of-fact realism that is at the heart of our passage today. Jesus knew that in spite of the fact that his mission on this earth to defeat sin, he would not eliminate sin from this world. Jesus knew that at times sin would be rampant on this earth. He may not like it. He may not approve of it. But he does accept it as fact. He tells the crowd that “things that cause people to sin are bound to come”. Jesus’ role in sin is much like a doctor. He does not prevent illness, he cures it once it has stricken the body. Jesus did not come to prevent us from sinning or to lesson the damage that it causes. He came to offer us a cure to keep that disease of sin from killing us spiritually.
But with that statement, Jesus also gives us a warning. Jesus says “Woe unto Him”. So what does that word “woe” mean? Essentially it means grief" or "overwhelming sadness. So who is Jesus warning that this grief or overwhelming sadness will come to? To those that bring, encourage or assist others into sinning! It is one thing for us to choose sin for ourselves, it is quite another thing to lead others down the path of sin. I look out in this world and see a world of people that fall into this category. Look how many TV people, through their actions, are promoting sins (fornication, homosexuality, lying, stealing, drugs, etc.)? Jesus said that it would be better to drowned than to lead a single person down the life of sin. I personally fear drowning and yet the punishment for encouraging others to sin is FAR worse.
We need to continually examine our lives to make sure that we are not, in ANY way, giving others the idea that sin is OK.
Reflecting His SON,
Dennis Hogan
Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ
1804 Sam Stewart Dr.
Radcliff, KY 40160
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