In Jesus’ Name

³⁸ John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using Your Name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he was not in our group.” ³⁹ “Do not stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in My Name will soon be able to speak evil of Me. ⁴⁰ Anyone who is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah (Christ), I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.” Mark 9:38-41 (NLT)

After Jesus had described the greatest in God’s Kingdom (see Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48), John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw a man using Your Name to cast out demons; but we told him not to, for he was not one of our group” (Mark 9:38, TLB; see also Luke 9:49). Apparently, this unknown exorcist was a believer in Jesus that effectively used Jesus’ Name, but he was not part of the Twelve disciples. John was part of Jesus’ Twelve disciples and part of Jesus’ inner circle, along with James and Peter (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Mark 5:37; Mark 9:2; Mark 13:3; Mark 14:33; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13). Thus, John felt this unknown man using Jesus’ Name to cast out demons was forbidden by Jesus (Mark 9:38). Possibly, John was jealous of the man. Earlier, nine of Jesus’ disciples were powerless to drive out a one evil spirit from a suffering boy (see Matthew 17:16, 19; Mark 9:18, 28; Luke 9:40). Previously, Jesus had given His disciples authoritative power to cast out demons (unclean, evil spirits) and power to preach, teach, and heal (e.g., see Matthew 10:1, 8; Mark 3:14-15; Mark 6:7, 12-13; Luke 9:1-6). After His death and resurrection, Jesus told His disciples that all who believes in Him will be able to cast out demons in His Name (Mark 16:17; see also Acts 5:16; Acts 8:7; Acts 16:18).

Jesus told John not to stop the man and said, “For no one doing miracles in My Name will quickly turn against Me” (Mark 9:39 TLB). Then, Jesus said, “Anyone who is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40, NLT; see also Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23). In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus said, “Do not stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:50, NLT; see also Luke 11:23). According to Jesus, “No one who performs a miracle in My Name will soon be able to speak evil of Me” (Mark 9:39, NLT). No one who has the power to do miracles and mighty works in Jesus’ Name is against Jesus (Mark 9:39-40). Then, Jesus said, “If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah (Christ), I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded” (Mark 9:41, (NLT).

Nevertheless, merely saying Jesus’ Name or “Lord, Lord” does not eliminate God’s requirement of faithfully obeying God’s teaching (see Matthew 7:15-27; see also Acts 19:13–16). Every miracle-worker using Jesus’ Name is not automatically blessed of God (see Matthew 7:21-23). Jesus’ warned God’s people to be beware of false prophets and teachers (Matthew 7:15-20; see also 2 John 10–11). These evil workers are disguised as harmless sheep but are evil men and women without “good fruit” – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23; see also Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 7:16-20; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Jesus warned that God’s people can recognize these false prophets and teachers by their fruit (actions) (e.g., sexual unfaithful, greedy, quarreling, jealousy, selfish, angry, divisive, envious, drunkards) (see Galatians 5:19-21). According to Jesus, only those who trust and obey Him will enter into God’s Kingdom (Matthew 7:21, 23; see also John 14:15; John 15:7-8, 10). Even more, the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ must be held in the highest honor in our hearts and minds (1 Peter 3:15) and not flippantly and frivolously missed used (Acts 19:17). There is wonder-working power in the Name of Jesus to those who believe and obey Jesus’ teaching (see John 14:12-14, 26; John 15:16; John 16:23-24, 26; Acts 4:7, 10). There is no other name that brings salvation, forgiveness, and life (Acts 2:21; Acts 4:12; see also John 14:6; Acts 10:43; 1 Timothy 2:5).

Everyone who genuinely believes and obeys Jesus as Lord and Savior from the heart belongs to God’s family and God’s Kingdom (see John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14, 16; 1 John 5:1). God’s family is multinational, bearing different gifts and speaking many languages. As part of God’s Kingdom and family, we have the responsibility of building up God’s Kingdom and not let our denominational differences interfere with this common goal (John 17:21). Everyone who shares a common faith in Jesus should cooperate and love one another (John 13:34-35; John 15:12, 17; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7). Even though there are many opinions among Bible-believing Christians, we are united by a common allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord (John 10:14-18; see also Ephesians 2:14-15, 19). Believers in Jesus all belong to His one flock (John 17:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11).

It appears the main reason John was trying to stop this unknown believer was that this man was not a part of their group. Jesus affirmed John’s “us,” but removes all exclusivity. John’s belief of the Twelve disciples as the only authorized agents of God’s rule works against God’s teaching of unity among all believers (John 17:11, 21-23; see also Psalm 133:1). There is no place for narrow exclusivism or spiritual cliques in the church. Therefore, Jesus’ response to John should affect all narrow-minded and divisive Christians who are antisocial, conflict-ridden, and judgmental of others simply because they do not belong to their particular group or clique (see also Philippians 1:14-18). Amazingly, some Christians who think that their group is the only group God recognizes and blesses will be in for a shock when they get to heaven. Jesus’ mission was not simply to a small group of Twelve Jewish men but embraced the entire world (Matthew 28:19; John 3:16; John 10:16; John 11:52; Acts 1:8).

⁴² “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. ⁴⁴ (where maggots does not die, and the fire is not quenched.) ⁴⁵ If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. ⁴⁶ (where maggots does not die, and the fire is not quenched.) ⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It is better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’” Mark 9:42-48 (NLT)

In these passages, Jesus warns others of the harsh penalties of sinning or causing others to fall (stumble) into sin (Mark 9:42-48). First, Jesus’ cautioned against causing one of His “little ones” who trust Him to fall into sin (Mark 9:42). Jesus said, “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck” (Mark 9:42, NIV). Next, Jesus discussed the necessity to purge all evil from our lives (Mark 9:43-48). Jesus said if “your hand . . . your foot . . . your eye” causes you to sin and do wrong, to cut it off (Mark 9:43, 45, 47). In these passages, Jesus used strong language to emphasize the importance of our self-discipline to remove all sin out of our lives (see also Matthew 5:29-30). When Jesus said to get rid of your hand, foot, or eye, He was speaking figuratively and not literally. Jesus did not command self-mutilation to avoid sin. Nonetheless, Jesus did not want God’s people to tolerate sin and evil in their hearts and minds. Jesus was exaggerating to emphasize the point that avoidance of sin is worth whatever drastic measures to remove sin and wickedness. Sin left unchecked will eventually lead to hell and our eternal death as well as earthly suffering and pain. No sin is worth going to hell. It is better to repent, even if repenting is painful. According to Jesus, we are better off experiencing the pain and self-discipline to remove sin from our lives than to allow sin to bring suffering, pain, and eternal condemnation.

⁴⁹ “For everyone will be tested with fire. ⁵⁰ Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” Mark 9:49-50 (NLT)

As God’s child, we will be tested with the fire of suffering and purification (Mark 9:49; see also Hebrews 11:17; James 1:3; 1 Peter 1:7). Yet, Jesus encouraged God’s people to have the qualities of salt among ourselves and live in peace with each other (Mark 9:50; see also Matthew 5:13; Romans 12:14-21; Romans 14:19; Romans 15:5). In ancient times, people used salt for flavoring and preserving. Just as salt preserves, God’s faithful people are preserved. Jesus taught God’s people not to “lose your flavor! Live in peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50, TLB). Believers are to be saturated with preserving power, which influences the world with peace and good works (Ephesians 2:10; see also Acts 10:38; Titus 2:14) and not divisive competition and strife (Mark 9:34). If God’s people indulge sin in their lives, we will lose our “salty” character and not be able to affect others for Christ.

References

Disciple's Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible, 1988).

Faithlife Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2012).

King James Version Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Life Essentials Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011).

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

The Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament. Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).