The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Mark:9:38-41

kjv@Mark:9:38 @ And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

kjv@Mark:9:39 @ But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

kjv@Mark:9:40 @ For he that is not against us is on our part.

kjv@Mark:9:41 @ For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Today's notes:

Context:

Before - first be last
After - if offended

Key Concepts:

slide:kjv@in+thy+name

What is God's righteousness observed doing?:

Allowing for one who is not a disciple to do commissioned disciple like works outside of the group.

What does this tell us about God's righteousness?:

We are left to project somewhat to this regard:

Jesus at this point had yet to die for our sins and therefore the anointing for casting devils was not based upon salvation and the signs listed to follow. The power was handed forward but a brief time to the twelve and then to the seventy for the purposes of making it known that Jesus was glorifying the Father by empowering these men to do miracles similar to Him. Though we do not know when and how this particular man was similarly commissioned, we are confident that somehow he was. And that due to God's righteousness.

There were Jewish exorcists (confirmed by Jesus to be successful) empowered by the Law of Moses; this matter could even be a attempt of one under the Law testifying to us that his ability to be ultimately from Jesus the Christ as well. If so it is another beautiful confirmation of the old testifying of the new.

The name of Jesus is powerful enough on it's own not needing any other justification. Many are said in later times to have supposed that their casting out in His name to be sufficient for their salvation when it actually/regretfully was not. Righteousness is served in that the name of Jesus is itself most righteous.

How is man reacting?:

In the context of of the previous passage (kjv@Mark:9:37 specifically) it is almost as if this report from John is a defense mechanism to divert the previous shame or is intended as a self promotion by John. One can reasonably assume that there was concern and perplexity regarding this man and his abilities, but John seems to states this as if a "I tried to stop him for you Jesus" badge of honor.
In the context of the passage to follow (kjv@Mark:9:42-50) John's defense appears to be an attempted diversion from the lesson being taught about children moving from the responsibility towards to the offense that can be inflicted if not done of the right heart. Jesus ties it right in to the same message.
Jesus thus far had commissioned and thereby anointed the disciples for a short time to heal and cast out two by two, first to the twelve and then to the seventy. This man as far as we know had not received commission unless he had been one of the seventy (if so then where is his companion?). The alternative is that he had been approached by Jesus or Holy Ghost, or that he had witnessed enough in Jesus to believe the same could be done by any believer (if so why not more believers identified?).

Notes:

see also: kjv@Luke:9:49-50

While kjv@Mark:16:17-18 lists this as s a sign follows believers, kjv@Matthew:7:22-24 states not all those that cast out devils in His name have assured salvation, only those who hear to do these sayings. Just because this man casts out devils in the name of Jesus does not necessarily pertain to the assurance of this man's salvation (yet). It would be better to say from what we know about him that Jesus does not see him as one who would scatter (kjv@Matthew:12:30) the flock, one who would lightly speak evil of Him, and as one who brings glory to the Father who sent Jesus kjv@John:14:13 and kjv@John:15:16

It does not necessarily say that such a person can not speak evil of Jesus only that they can not lightly speak evil of Him.

John assumed that he was in the right to forbid this man. He had the notion that everything being done by Jesus was being done from within the group (which for the most part (all but this one) it was). The mistake on his part (perhaps the others) is that in defense of the disciples debate (which will continue beyond this day as to whom is the greatest), his worth was being placed in the things he had done for his Master in this case forbidding the man. It irked him as well that the man would not give in and follow under the disciples committee. Turn's out that the man was not in the wrong and that John is continuing to make himself wrong by making the case in a futile defense of self exaltation.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

As much as we think that we know about the movements of Jesus, there is in fact ample opportunities to roam crosswise of His actual direction; this among even those most familiar of His daily movements. Scripture gives us guidelines to help determine who is who and where things should be going, but it is the spiritual proximity relationally to Jesus that is found in prayer, in sacrifice and obedience, in sometimes blind trust that brings these more tangible guidelines to best light.
Self defense is a tricky sort before our Master. It tends only to expose it's ulterior motives in the process of attempting to hide them away.

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Mark:9:38-41
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Mark:9:38-41 rwp@Mark:9:38-41 mhcc@Mark:9:38-41
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

< Mark:9:33-37

Mark:9:42-50 >