“[Jesus said:] ‘If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire’” (Mark 9:42-43 ESV).

Jesus issues strong statements to remind us that our relationship with Him is serious business. Is there any sin that is hindering your relationship with Jesus Christ? If there is, it’s got to go. Is there anything that you want more than eternal life with Jesus? If there is, it has to be taken care of before you die.

Do you want to be saved from hell? Do you want to get rid of that sin? Look to Jesus. Jesus was so serious about saving you, that He set His face like flint and headed for Jerusalem, determined to suffer and die for your sin.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Know that He’s just as serious about keeping His promises to you as He was about going to Jerusalem to save you. He means it when He talks about it being altogether worthwhile to give up anything and everything here on earth for Him. Heaven is more wonderful than your wildest dreams can imagine.

O Lord, make us willing to give up everything that would hinder our relationship with you. For You alone are the Savior of the world!

--submitted by the Rev. Ken Johnson, Pastor of Zion and Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches of Avon and Springfield, South Dakota