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Don’t Try to Stop God
In Mark 9:38-50 the disciples—at least John—are upset because they saw somebody, not a disciple, “casting out demons” in Jesus’ name. Here John sounds strikingly similar to the Pharisees, who became upset when someone out of their control, Jesus, healed a person on the sabbath (Mark 3:1-6). A common tendency among religious leaders seems to be uneasiness with God acting in ways that are outside of the expected channels and outside of their control.
Throughout Mark’s gospel we are reminded that God’s activity and power are not controlled by or limited to established religious institutions. This point is made clear in the opening verses of the gospel. Mark doesn’t begin the story of the “good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1) in Jerusalem, where one might expect the story of a holy person to start. Instead, the beginning of Mark’s gospel takes us to the wilderness, a place often associated with the absence of God’s presence. But it is precisely in the wilderness where we find John, proclaiming that “the kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15).
There was a sense in Jesus’ time that God could or would only be present in the temple, and that God’s activity was determined by the actions of the religious leaders. We have the same temptation today. We often think of what happens in the church building as God’s activity, but forget that God is also present and acting in the world outside the church. We often think of Christians doing God’s work, but neglect to notice the ways in which non-Christians are also active in doing things that help to bring God’s kingdom near. Jesus’ response to his disciple’s consternation about the fact that someone who is not a disciple is casting out demons in Jesus’ name is an important instruction to us as well. We shouldn’t stop someone who is doing God’s will and bringing God’s kingdom near, just because they aren’t a part of our group. In fact, we may even want to learn more about what they are doing, and join them!
Gospel: Mark 9:38-50
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus teaches his disciples about ministry that involves service and sacrifice. His disciples are slow to realize that these words apply to them as well as to others.
38John said to [Jesus,] “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40Whoever is not against us is for us. 41For 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.
42“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. 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. 47And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
49“For everyone will be salted with fire. 50Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”