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.”
Mark 9:38-41 NIV
The Kingdom of God is not a private religious club. Jesus is interested in winning the entire world. The disciples perhaps thought that the kingdom would be entrusted entirely into their oversight, but this and other stories shows how people outside were turning to Jesus and beginning to expand his kingdom. It bothered the disciples, but Jesus corrected them.
In the same way, a spirit of competition can easily creep into us today. Such a spirit distracts us from the things we ourselves should be doing.
This account demonstrates the error we make when we draw our boundaries in such a limited way that we exclude from God's kingdom anyone who is not part of the particular group to which we belong.
Christ's kingdom is larger than one church or one denomination. Of course, this does not mean absolutely everyone who professes to follow Jesus is in fact one of His sheep.
We should as Christians should focus on service instead of status, on the task instead of the title. We need to recognize the gifts God has given us, and the mission He has called us to, and put that first. We must resist the temptation to let titles, recognition, and prestige distract us from the needs around us and our ability to serve.
Jesus will not allow us to try to control His power for our own purposes. He wants to delegate His power and authority to whomever He wishes. Why? It’s about bringing freedom to captive lives.
The unity of believers is precious to our Lord. Christians have a terrible history of dividing ourselves. We divide over doctrine, denominations, worship styles, etc.
We divide ourselves into churches that serve a specific racial or ethnic group. We refuse to fellowship with those who practice certain sacraments or ordinances differently.
We even divide within our own congregations, into cliques of clergy vs. laity, of the in crowd vs. the outer circles.
The kindness Jesus expects and rewards in His followers is very simple. God doesn't forget kindness that is demonstrated with actions that are real, even if they are simple.
When we are kind to other believers or they are kind to us, God sees, remembers, and rewards.
Of course Jesus doesn't want us to limit our kindness to other believers, He also wants unbelievers to have an opportunity to share in the kindness of His followers as well.
I think these verses have 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.
Acts of kindness by Jesus followers may be simple, but are also a genuine reflection of their Lord's kindness and compassion that were shared with all sorts of people!!!
Father thank you for this day and for sending Jesus, who made Your way of life so simple and clear. Lord pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord thank You for Your acts of kindness and for those who have demonstrated that kindness to us. Lord help us to attend to our own work first before we would consider the work of others. Lord do not allow a spirit of self-righteousness or privilege creep in so that we would start to see other people as our competition. Lord use my friend to use all means to draw all people You today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya
Comments