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158. Who's Side Are You On?


Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:49-50
Key Verse: "Whoever is not against us is for us."
Mark 9:40

This is actually a continuation of the discussion about who is the greatest. Jesus had not approved of the disciples arguing among themselves, just as parents don't enjoy arguments that take place among their children. John must have thought, however, surely, Jesus would agree with us here. We're like a family. We've got to stick together and defend our leader and His purpose!

The disciples were thinking the way the world thinks, with an "us versus them" mentality. They had the corner on the market! They had Jesus! Jesus had picked them and enabled them to do all the miracles. So, as the world thinks, it was only natural that they would try to shut down what they saw as "the competition."

Jesus, however, had not come to be exclusive. He had come to spread grace. "The Kingdom of God truly was at hand," and available to all who would put their faith in Him.

I'm sure that, thinking as they did, the disciples were expecting a pat on the back for stopping others who were claiming to do good in Jesus' name. What a shock it must have been to them when Jesus did just the opposite. "Do not stop him, 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." (Mark 9:39-40)

How often do we do this in our churches today? We want our church to be the only game in town. We want our theological position to be the right one! Everyone else is guilty of holding belief in false doctrine. Our understanding of scripture is correct. We can become exclusive in our attitude toward others, even other Christians and not conduct ourselves with grace and humility toward others.

We need to take to heart Jesus' admonition here to His disciples. "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of cold water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose their reward." (Mark 9:41) We need to love our brothers and sisters in the Lord even more than we love those who have not yet found Him. Galatians 6:10 says: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Wouldn't the world be attracted to Christ if, instead of divisions and factions, they saw people getting along despite their differences? Wouldn't that be setting the example of the amazing forbearance that can be accomplished when Christ is truly honored? Jesus said, "by this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity." The Psalmist says it this way, "I am a friend to all those who fear You, to all who follow your precepts." (Psa. 119:63) Let's try harder to live that way for Jesus’ sake and leave the "us versus them" mentality behind, where it belongs.

Hymn: "All Will Be Well"

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