Mark 9:38-41
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.”
There’s a liberty here, a genuine sense of freedom, that I absolutely love. Devout Christians can sometimes get worried about whether they are keeping the message of the Gospel pure. I can sympathize with wanting to be clear about where our hope rests. But along with this understandable concern comes a host of other undue concerns about whom we can work with and about what constitutes a fit partnership.
Jesus here sets us free to release many of these concerns. There are two elements to what he tells the disciples. The first is focused “inward” on the members of Christ’s body itself: “no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me.” One of the unhappy elements of our history has been a constant, almost incessant fracturing of the Christian witness into various sects and denominations. While I recognize that there are significant theological concerns driving some of these divisions, I think Jesus here is telling us to get over those differences and find ways to work together. So what if another denomination understands communion or baptism somewhat differently? So what if they organize themselves in a different way or look at the Bible from another perspective? If they do what they do in Christ’s name, there is much we can do together.
The second part of this teaching invites us to explore anew and afresh our “external” relationships: “whoever is not against us is for us.” This, I think, releases us to partner with persons of other faith traditions (and of no faith tradition) on common causes like caring for the needy, ending malaria, feeding the hungry, advocating for just government, and so forth. Anyone who is not against us in our work of embodying the kingdom and reign of God that Jesus proclaims is a potential ally.
This is a small matter to some, perhaps, and really just a brief word or two of Jesus among the myriad sayings and deeds of power Mark shares, so I can understand why it has not been given much attention. But I think it has the potential to free us from undue concerns about being righteous or pure (which often turn quickly into self-righteousness anyway!) in order to roll up our sleeves and work with anyone and everyone who wants to take better care of this world and people that God loves so much.
Prayer: Dear God, when we look at the people around us, help us to see friends, colleagues, and partners rather than adversaries or enemies. And help us to join all those working for the good of your people and world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Recent Comments