Defining the Edges

And John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to hinder him because he does not follow along with us.” Luke 9:49  NASB

With us – Who is with us?  That is the first question of denominational Christianity.  Who will conform to our dogmas, our doctrines?  Who will share our phileo fellowship?  (Notice I did not say agape fellowship).  The battle over the edges of acceptability began long before Luther and Calvin.  Here John, the beloved disciple, reports that those closest to Yeshua were myopically Messianic.  Did you notice that John does not say, “because he does not follow after You”?  Who follows the Christ is not important.  The real issue is who follows with us!

The Greek (meth’ hemon) sets the stage for John’s discontent.  This man does not attend or accompany the disciples.  The first implication of John’s accusation is that he and the other eleven are the only real followers.  After all, they are with Yeshua.  This other man is an outsider.  John reluctantly concedes that the outsider is actually casting out demons in the name of Yeshua, but John and the disciples consider this inappropriate, perhaps even suspect, since the man does not accompany them.  What do Presbyterians have to do with Catholics?  What do Pentecostals have to do with Baptists?  Outsiders are not welcomed in the true Body unless they conform to the expectations of the adherents.  Only the obviously chosen can be with Jesus!

Isn’t it odd that you have probably never heard a sermon preached on this verse?

Yeshua answers John, but His answer isn’t theologically comforting.  Yeshua points to the man’s actions.  This outsider is doing Kingdom works.  That is enough to distinguish him as one of the other disciples.  Yeshua looks at his life, his behavior, his impact on others.  He does not demand that this outsider sign a statement of faith or take a mandatory class in church membership.  I wonder why.  Do you suppose Yeshua is unconcerned about the man’s doctrine because his actions already portray a real relationship with the Father?  And what about the reverse?  Do you think Yeshua would have said the same thing about a man who espoused all the right doctrines but whose actions demonstrated no concern for the character of the Father?  What if John had come to Yeshua with, “This man is one of us because he says the right things”?  Would that have been sufficient?

John isn’t acting much like a Hebrew here.  Yeshua reminds him that Kingdom behavior trumps Kingdom vocabulary.  Is that what you think?  When you look across the street and see those Catholics, those Pentecostals, those Methodists, those Church of God by Prophecy people, do you think of them as Kingdom brothers and sisters you would welcome in your home?  Or are you like John, hindering them because they aren’t following with you?

Topical Index:  with us, meth’ hemon, denominations, Kingdom, Luke 9:49

As I continue to talk with four or five people each day, I learn so much about what we need to be praying for.  Here is one that you all need to know.  Read Sonii comment at the end of the post and Donna’s request at the end of this post.  I’ll be talking with you.