Mark 9:38-41, “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone 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. “For 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.
Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.”
The apparent meaning of verse Mark 9: 40 (Luke 9:50) as we all understand is that there are many who are proclaiming the name of Jesus, preaching and teaching His word in their own way, right or wrong, they are all called reapers, the laborer’s of his harvest. God will correct them in His time. Apostle Paul also says in Philippians 1:15-18 that we should rejoice that at least, somehow, the name of Jesus is preached.
Similarly we see in Matthew 12:30, Jesus said in a different context, “He who is not with me is against me …..” implying that one who is not following Jesus in rooting out the power of enemy, can not stand in the Kingdom of God and can not be His follower.
When I was meditating upon these verses in my morning worship group, I was thrilled to understand these verses in a different way. Holy Spirit reminded Matthew chap. 5, Sermon on the Mount wherein Jesus tells us who are the true and blessed people of God. If one is walking upright with God, is not denying the name of Jesus and showing reverence to His name, will receive their blessings. Psalmist says in Psalm 15:1-2,” who can Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart. The Righteous will flourish like the palm tree (Psa. 92:12).
When I shared the Vision of God for India in my institutional church, I was taken back by their response to it and had to leave the Church because of their reluctance to seek God in continuing their traditional practices not supported by the scriptures. However, someone shared the above verses and I blessed the Church as they are preaching Jesus anyhow. God will admonish and correct them. I thank God for giving me an inclusive not exclusive ministry of the Lord-“The Army of Jesus”.
Prayer
“Father! I thank you for expanding your kingdom and blessing all those who are just showing reverence to your name and not denying you. You are a good shepherd Jesus, gather your lost sheep so that all can be saved.
In Jesus name, I pray.
Amen.”
Sol. Neha