Scripture
“…for whoever is not against us is for us.” – Mark 9:40
Observation
Jesus’ disciples found a man battling against demons in the name of Jesus. The problem was he apparently hadn’t put in his time following Jesus around. He was not familiar to them. He wasn’t one of the insiders. So they told him to stop.
Jesus immediately diverts the focus away from the “outsider” and back on the disciples. “You are worried about him? Now, what exactly is he doing wrong? And, by the way, who made you the police of the Kingdom? If God wants to use him, do you really think you can stop God? You should be worried about YOUR witness to those around you. You should be worried about the things that influence YOU. You should worry about your own saltiness.”
Application
Being a Christian in this world is difficult enough without being attacked from within the ranks. In fact, Jesus told his disciples, in no uncertain words, “If you love me, the world will hate you.” With “the world” already against us, why do we feel that we have to turn against our own? Why do we have to become the “church police” to the extent that anyone who doesn’t fall in step with what we think “church” should look like is automatically the enemy?
I hear someone preaching the gospel, but he doesn’t use the “right” words, use the right lingo, or represent the right denomination. I see someone leading a ministry, but he has too many piercings, too many rings, or his hair is too long. So, I want him to stop. Who made me Kingdom police?
We are instructed to “test the spirits” and to be on the lookout for false prophets and teachers. But if my judgmental eye is always focused on others, I never see the sin within me which is creates the bias by which I judge.
It’s interesting that this chapter begins with the Transfiguration, where the clothing of Jesus is “whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.” While nothing on this earth compares to the heavenly things of God, we still want to “paint the church” using our own worldly colors.
Prayer
“Father, keep my focus on YOU, and you alone. Teach me and cleans me by your Word and by your Spirit. Give me a heart after your heart; one which is open to your ways. Keep me from trying to put you in boxes of my own creation. Allow me to celebrate the diversity and creativity of your kingdom. And when something unusual catches my attention, give me the wisdom to know what to do; to stand for your truth and stand in awe of your ways.”
Very sharp and convicting words. I like this reminder in Scripture. I know we don’t need it, but sometimes I wish we had a picture of the Christ, a true one that reminded us He was a middle eastern Jew, not a white American.
At the same time though, I focus on your statement “But if my judgmental eye is always focused on others, I never see the sin within me which is creates the bias by which I judge.” This means we musn’t even judge those who judge, but only rebuke and encourage, guiding to the truth.