For whoever is not against us is for us. Mark 9:40 NABRE
Jesus is challenged by His disciples concerning someone who is driving out demons in Jesus name, they want this person prevented. Jesus doesn’t hold on to His mission as tight as His disciples would, He is ok with the stranger speaking in His name and healing others. Jesus’ view is anyone who is not against Him and His followers are for them. It is a very simple view but one that gives freedom to anyone to speak in Jesus name. Jesus doesn’t have a test or a criteria list that someone is required to fulfill before sharing His message. Jesus is for people sharing his message, in fact He depends on it. Jesus is telling His disciples to take an open stance toward those who are not within the bounds of a formal Christian community and to not consider them foes.
Interestingly in Matthew’s writing Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me,” (12:30) the opposite of what is being spoken in Mark. Or perhaps Jesus isn’t interested in uncommitted people, if you are neutral Jesus knows that sooner or later you will choose, consciously or unconsciously. So what happens to those people that never hear from Jesus or about Jesus from someone else, are they left to die on the vine or to be thrown in the fire with other branches cut from the vine? We learn Jesus is love and love always has a way of impacting people, so anyone who knows love knows Jesus. If you know Jesus, you will choose Him, even if you only know love. Jesus as much as says so in the follow on to the quoted verse, saying anyone who gives to another, even just a cup of water to drink will not lose their reward. The reward is being with Jesus who is love.
Are you for Jesus? What do you do in Jesus name?
Jesus isn't interested in uncommitted people, if you are neutral Jesus knows that sooner or later you will choose, consciously or unconsciously. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #For #love #Mark #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways