The Saturday after the Sixth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 2, 2025 by under
Scripture: St. Mark 9:43-50 (NKJV)
9:43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—44 where
‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—46 where
‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire—48 where
‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
Devotion
Our Lord repeats the phrase “where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched’” three times. This quote from Isaiah 66:24 is repeated for emphasis and for teaching. This section of Isaiah 66 is talking about the Last Day, when the Lord will reward all the faithful with eternal life, but the unbelievers will be condemned. On account of their faithlessness “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” These are the ones who have not placed their trust in the Lord Jesus, but continue to trust in themselves—in their own works and righteousness.
This is why our Lord recommends such drastic measures as cutting off one’s hand and foot, and plucking out one’s eye. He does not mean this literally. Rather, He is talking about figuratively cutting off and plucking out all that prohibits our faith and trust in Him. Whatever in this life we place our trust in apart from the Christ must be cut off and plucked out. Trust in our own works and righteousness prevents us from fully trusting in the Lord Jesus. This is why we need to live daily in repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. Cling in faith to the Lord Jesus, and He will deliver you from the worm that does not die and the fire which is not quenched.
Collect: Lord of all power and might, Who art the Author and Giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of Thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
