Jesus gave some very severe warnings to stress the importance of faith.
If anyone causes one of these little onesâthose who believe in meâto stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
A millstone was a heavy stone that was used to grind corn. Jesus is saying that if a person caused someone to lose their faith they would be better off dead.
Jesus then uses a number of images to stress that the disciples must stop anything that is causing them to lose faith. If their hand or feet causes them to sin, they are to cut them off. If their eye causes them to sin, they must pluck it out.
Jesusâ message here is that nothing is more important than gaining entry into the Kingdom of GodA society where God rules. In the Kingdom of God death is overcome, diseases are cured and evil spirits are defeated..