Inspiring God, by your Spirit, open our minds and hearts to receive your Word for today, whether it challenges or comforts us, so that we may live more faithfully as we follow Jesus Christ, your Living Word. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:38-48
Last week, we left Jesus and his disciples in the family home of Peter and his brother, Andrew, both among the first men to follow him. While they were traveling there, he heard them talking amongst themselves and when they entered the home he said to them, “… ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’” (Mark 9:33) They were too embarrassed to admit to him that they were arguing about who was the greatest amongst them, but Jesus already knew this and so he had to clarify things by telling them, “… ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’” (Mark 9:35). It was a gentle, yet firm reminder that greatness in God’s kingdom is not measured by power, status, or recognition, but by humility, service, and love for others. In other words, the way up in God’s kingdom is down—to the posture of a servant
But, as we will see, these lessons seemed slow to sink in. The disciples, like us, were still works in progress. No sooner had they heard this teaching than another issue arose. This time it was John who spoke up, perhaps thinking he was protecting Jesus’ honour. “Teacher,” he said, “‘we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’” John likely expected praise for his zeal, but instead, he was about to discover that the kingdom of God is far wider and more generous than his narrow expectations allowed.
It seems that this man who was casting out demons had faith in Jesus, even though he was not one of the Twelve and may not have spent much time following him or sitting under his teaching. Yet, through the power of Jesus’ name, he was able to drive out demons and set people free. But instead of rejoicing in the good being done, the disciples objected. After all, Jesus hadn’t personally chosen him or given him the same commission he had given them. Perhaps, beneath their objection, there was a touch of jealousy—a fear that their own role and importance might be diminished if others could do such works in Jesus’ name.
They’ve adopted a kind of “us four, no more, shut the door” mindset. This person isn’t licensed for this. This is an unauthorized use of Jesus’ name. They might be thinking, “This is our territory. If others start doing this, who knows where it could lead?”
We do this too, don’t we? We’re often more concerned about who gets the credit, who’s doing the work, and whether they fit our expectations, rather than celebrating the good that’s being done in Jesus’ name.
Jesus himself didn’t mind that the man was casting out demons by invoking his name. He knew that the man had respect for him and so would not speak against him, as the Scribes and Pharisees had been. By casting out demons, this person showed that he was not against Jesus. By accepting the actions of this healer Jesus was trying to make the point to his disciples that they should not view him as someone to condemn, just because he was not part of their group. He was doing God’s will and Jesus would not oppose him.
Interestingly, this was not the only time in the Bible that we read of someone doing God’s work outside the main group of prophets. We have in the Old Testament an incident where two of the elders did not follow the orders of Moses to go up with the rest of the elders to the tabernacle. But instead, they stayed in the main camp and prophesied to the people. This is what we read in the Book of Numbers: “Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua, son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!””. (Numbers 11:26-28) But this was the response of Moses: “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!”. (Numbers 11:29)
Both of these stories remind us to appreciate and encourage those who may not be part of our own circle yet are still faithfully working to advance God’s kingdom here on earth. It’s an important lesson for the church in every age. Sometimes we can be tempted to draw the boundaries too tightly, expecting others to believe or serve exactly as we do. Yet, Jesus shows us a far more open and generous spirit—welcoming the good that is done in his name, wherever it is found. Here is a good quote that I heard concerning our relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ: “in the essentials; unity, non-essentials; liberty, and in all things; charity.”.
We won’t always worship the same way, and we won’t always agree on every point of doctrine. But if someone is working to advance Christ’s kingdom, our role is not to hold them back, but to cheer them on. What matters most is that we are united in the core truths of our faith.
However, this openness comes with a serious caution. Jesus doesn’t suggest that anything goes or that belief and conduct don’t matter. In fact, immediately after urging his disciples to welcome those who serve in his name, he gives one of his most severe warnings: “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea”
In other words, while the kingdom is open to all who act in Christ’s name, it also carries a sacred responsibility. We must take care not to discourage, mislead, or harm those whose faith may be small or still growing. Whether through our words, or actions, or attitudes, we are called to help others move closer to Christ—not push them away.
From there, Jesus turns to vivid, even shocking, imagery; cutting off a hand or foot, or plucking out an eye, not to encourage self-harm, but to drive home the urgency of removing anything in our lives that causes us, or others, to stumble into sin. The kingdom of God opens its arms wide in welcome, yet the way it calls us to walk is narrow and demanding.
So, what do we take away from these words of Jesus?
First, we are called to widen our embrace. The kingdom of God is bigger than our denominational lines, church traditions, or personal preferences. If someone is doing good in the name of Christ—whether or not they look like us, worship like us, or serve like us—we should rejoice and give thanks, not compete or complain.
Second, we are called to watch our influence. Every word we speak, every action we take, and even the attitudes we display can either help someone grow in faith or push them away. Jesus takes that influence seriously, and so should we.
And finally, we are called to pursue holiness. The strong language about removing what causes us to stumble reminds us that nothing—no habit, no attitude, no relationship—is worth keeping if it leads us or others away from God. The kingdom is worth any sacrifice.
May we, then, be a people who open our arms wide in welcome, walk carefully so as not to harm another’s faith, and live with the courage to cut away anything that keeps us from following Christ fully. For in doing so, we not only honour our Lord, but we also help his light shine more brightly in a darkened world.
Not only is Jesus’ ministry against the powers of evil, but his ministry is a pattern for all who reach out in love to the neighbour: “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” Serving the neighbour is not to gain reward but to live in response to the neighbour and serving out of love and in the name of Christ.
So, what should we carry with us from this passage? We need to guard against the temptation to confine God’s work to what we can see or manage. We must be ready to recognize and rejoice when God works through people who are different from us. Never overlook the significance of even the smallest act of kindness offered in Jesus’ name.
Jesus invites us into a faith that is generous—one that welcomes, affirms, and supports all who serve in his name, even when they aren’t “part of our group.” Because, as he reminds us, “Whoever is not against us is for us.”
Let us Pray:
Gracious Lord, we thank you for the reminder today that your kingdom is far bigger than our own church, and that your Spirit moves in ways we cannot always see or control. Teach us to welcome and encourage all who serve in your name, whether they walk beside us or take a different path.
Help us to see the value of even the smallest act of kindness offered for your sake, trusting that nothing done in your name is ever wasted.
Send us out now to live with open hands, open hearts, and open eyes—ready to serve, to bless, and to cheer on every worker in your harvest.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.