“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:38-41)
This passage was a great reminder to me today. I think it reveals one presupposition that Christians often have and two truths that we should learn.
First the presupposition…we as believers have a tendency to think that God is only working through us and our methods. The disciples were the “in” crowd of Jesus’ day. After all, they were His disciples. Without even realizing it, pride began to seep into their hearts. Here are a bunch of common men–mostly fisherman–who are suddenly thrust into the spotlight of Jesus’ ministry. They are with Jesus 24/7 as crowds of people flock after Him. Better than being famous sometimes is knowing the famous and being with them. And the disciples have that privilege.
Then they are sent out by Jesus to cast out demons and heal the sick and they have great success (6:7-13). So much success that now the big topic of conversation among them is “who is the greatest?” (9:33-34). Imagine the conversation…”I cast out five demons and healed a man with leprosy.” “Well, I cast out six and healed two men with leprosy.” “Yea, but I found the fish and bread that Jesus multiplied…” etc. Okay, the conversation probably did not go quite like that but it was enough along that lines that Jesus says that the disciples “disputed among themselves.” Is it possible that most of our disputes with other believers are really just arguments over who is the greatest? Who has the greatest knowledge? Who has the greatest love? Who has the greatest evangelistic fervor? Who has the greatest relationship with God? We are sad creatures sometimes.
Jesus tries to correct this attitude by bringing a child into their midst and saying, “This is true greatness…being gentle enough and humble enough to care for and love children (i.e., work in the nursery or children’s church).”
John curiously responds, “Jesus, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name and we told him to stop because he was not one of us.” How John went from receiving children in Jesus’ name to telling someone to stop casting out demons is beyond me. Either John wasn’t listening or he simply missed Jesus’ point. But again the disciples’ pride emerges. “We’re the only ones whom You gave the authority to cast out demons, right, Jesus? How dare someone try to minister outside our control and oversight. We told him to stop. Pretty good, huh, Jesus.”
In response to John’s statement, Jesus teaches two incredible truths:
1. He who is not against us is on our side (9:40). Whoa. We usually reverse that and say, “He who is not on our side is against us.” Jesus’ words remind us that God is working in ways that are far outside our box and if someone is not opposing us then we should try as much as possible to work with them. We are better off taking advantage of our alliances than isolating ourselves and working only with people who are exactly like us. Who knows how much more the church of Jesus Christ could do in America if we learned to keep the main thing the main thing, swallowed our pride and began working with those who methods or affiliations are different than our own.
2. He who gives even a cup of water to you in My name will be rewarded (9:41). Whoa again. Any act of support and kindness extended to Christ’s followers will be rewarded. That is awesome to me. We tend to look at the big things in ministry as the things that are really important…however God tends to see the little things, the things that often go unnoticed but flow from a humble, caring heart. I am fully convinced that when I reach heaven, God will reward me for things that I don’t even remember and the things I thought were a “big deal” will go totally unnoticed. It’s the kind word given to a hurting individual, the arm around the shoulder, the card sent in the mail, the gift of appreciation, the simple act of service that God sees and rewards.
What Jesus is basically saying is this: ”Don’t sit on your high horse and think God is only working through you or that your spirituality is somehow greater than someone else’s because of some special thing you have done or can do. Instead start focusing on refreshing others in Christ’s name because that’s what God cares about. Start ministering to children. Start giving out cups of cold water. Start working with others who are ‘not against you.’ And then you’ll know the humility that God rewards.”
God, forgive me for my pride. Help me be a cup of water to someone this week.