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Mark - Who is Christ?
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to MARK
PART 5 - Christ Reveals His Death and His Life to His Disciples (Mark 8:27 - 10:45)

7. The Calling to Fair-Mindedness (Mark 9:38-41)


MARK 9:38-41
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.

Before he believed in the love of Christ, John the disciple was narrow-minded, zealous, proud, and envious. He was disturbed because one who was not a follower of Christ could cast out, in his name, unclean spirits from the demon-possessed. John was angry because this believer was not one of those who accompanied Christ. This man recognized that no power in heaven or on earth was greater than the name of Christ in whom all the power of heaven worked.

This truth guides us not to build our life on our own ability, skillfulness, gifts, experiences, or esteem in church or in society, but to build ourselves on the Lord Jesus alone, for he is the powerful, triumphant Victor, and your faith makes you a partner in his triumph. Do you recognize the power of Jesus’ name? Do you experience his deep salvation in his reconciliation of the world to God? Do you worship God the Father joyfully? Do you join the company of saints in your faith? Do you live in the power of his Spirit? Whoever experiences the goodness of our heavenly Father does not want to leave him, but to serve him joyfully. He who has God’s Spirit dwelling in him loves and forgives people without delay, and serves the church members at all times.

Thus, Christ made an important statement: “He who is not against us is on our side” though he had said in (Matthew 12:30): “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”

The difference between the two statements is that in the latter one he defended himself against his quarrelsome enemies who charged him with having power to cast out unclean spirits by an agreement with the ruling devil, while he said his first statement to support the believer who cast out demons in his name, though he was not one of his close followers. Because of this verse we testify to all churches, societies, and individuals who love Jesus, our living, coming, and crucified Savior, that they are our partners in service, brothers and sisters with us in the Spirit, even if they differ from us in doctrinal respects, or hold on to different rituals and customs. We are linked together in the name of the living Christ and his love which passes knowledge and is patient with the brothers who differ from us in some respects.

Christ made the borders of his kingdom much wider than our bigotry. This is why he refuses our judgment of others. Whoever gives one of the followers of Jesus a cup of cold water, and honors him because of his relation to the Son of God will receive everlasting blessing because of this giving, even if he were not yet renewed in himself. Christ knows the beginning of faith in hearts. He does not refuse the least inclination towards him. This is why he honored every kind of sincere faith in all men, and was glad of every work in the way of the Lord. Do not only look at your church members, but also accept those of other circles or churches who believe in the crucified Christ. Love them, and pray for them, for we are all one in the living Christ.

PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we thank you because you do not despise us because of our imperfect faith, or condemn us because of our weak love, but draw us to yourself through beautiful love, and give us the knowledge of your beloved Son that we may receive spiritual power from him through true faith, and spread his kingdom with all those who are driven by his Spirit. Bless churches and christian societies in the Middle East and all around the world that they may be united in your name. Amen.

QUESTION:

  1. How does Jesus guide us to cooperate with those who are not of our own circle?

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