HOST: Michael Whitworth
SPONSOR: Logos Bible Software
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.
There is a good bit of curiosity attached to this passage. Who was this man of whom John spoke, and how could he cast out demons? While we do not know the answer to these questions, there are some things that we can assume. He was a follower of Christ. “He was not following us” does not mean that he was not a disciple of Christ, but that he did not accompany the apostles in their daily following of Christ. This man obviously believed in and followed Christ; otherwise, he would have no ability to cast out demons miraculously. It has been suggested that John reacted as he did largely out of a sense of jealousy, thinking that no one but those closest to Jesus should be able to do such things. This passage comes right on the heels of the teaching of Jesus that those who wanted to be great should be servants. There is no room in the service of Jesus for jealousy, envy, or prideful arrogance. We all have a place within the body of Christ and are called to use our gifts to His glory. All who are faithful to Christ are on the same side—a sentiment worded by Jesus like this: “For the one who is not against us is for us.”
Why do you think we sometimes become envious of others?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
