Mark 9:38-41— Soon Afterward

Mark 9:38-41
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 
But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. (ESV)

Comments:

What an interesting statement. There is something faith-building about the working of a “mighty work” or “miracle” that prevents for a time our speaking ill of Jesus. What could it be? The fact that the miracle happened reminds us that there is a God, that he listened to us, that he cares about hurting people, and that he can work through us to meet the needs of others. Miracles also build our faith because they happen by the overriding agency of the Holy Spirit and no one filled with the Holy Spirit can speak ill of Christ. As it is written elsewhere in the Scriptures,

"Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:3)

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." (1 John 4:1-3)

Jesus was not as concerned that someone follows along with the band of disciples as he was that the person would be about the work of God in the name of Jesus. We should not require someone to stop ministering to the needs of hurting people just because they belong to another church. The Kingdom of God is wider and deeper than we might think. I am so glad that my denomination (Foursquare) is interdenominational in its doctrinal statement. We have no problem cheering on the other Jesus churches in our area!

So in this passage, what was the important thing? That people were being delivered from the oppressive bondage of the enemy. If people are not against us then they are on our side (v.40). How inclusive is our view of the Kingdom? How well do we keep the main things the main things? I know I need eyes enlightened to see what God is doing around me! I need to continually live in a faith that never wanders beyond the "soon afterward."

Further, no act of generosity is forgotten (v.41). If a person was to give something to us—as simple and as secular as a cup of water—in the name of Jesus (in keeping with his character and mission), they will not lose their reward. Jesus remembers and rewards even very simple acts of service unto Christ. 

The Kingdom is not about control, but about using our liberty in Christ for the deliverance and blessing of others.