The disciples wanted to stop someone who was working miracles in the name of Jesus because the miracle worker was not part of the circle of disciples traveling with Jesus. They explained their position. “ . . . we told him to stop because he was not one of us.” (v. 38) How much trouble we stir up because of this sentiment, “ . . .he was not one of us.”
Jesus instructed his disciples to relent. He did not want them to stop the miracle worker. The man was doing something good. He was doing it in the name of Jesus even though he was not part of their group. Jesus explained that he is not against us; he is for us. Jesus went on to say that anyone who ministered to the disciples in the name of Jesus, even if they were not part of the group, would be rewarded.
In this context we come to some of the most severe words in the New Testament. Jesus said, “If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.” (v. 42) When Jesus said, “these little ones,” was he talking about the miracle worker who was outside the group or the person who gives ministry even though that person is not in the group? They are believers of a sort, immature perhaps, or having only a partial understanding. Still, they are believers. To cause them to stumble in their belief is a grave offense.
Again the context helps us understand the next words of Jesus which are shocking indeed. Isn’t it better, Jesus argued, to lose a hand or a foot or an eye than to lose one’s whole body in hell? Isn’t it better that these little ones have a mutilated faith than no faith at all? If the choice is some faith, even a poor faith, or no faith then the better choice is a truncated but authentic belief.
The passage concludes with Jesus saying to the disciples, “ . . . be at peace with each other.” (v. 50) All of us will be salted or tested with fire. (v. 49) None of us will be deemed perfect. What is most important is to keep the faith, even if that faith is weak. Once lost, faith is not recovered. Once salt loses its saltiness how can one make it salty again. So, be kind and gracious and generous with those who are not part of the group. Affirm what they are doing that is good. Some is much better than none.
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Grandchildren. Mr. Happy turns four years old today. Those who understand child development have told me that year four is often a time of disequilibrium for a child. Mr. Happy is facing some challenges. His big sister is away from home all day, now, because she has started first grade. Of course, he has a baby brother at home all the time, but his little brother is not yet much of a play mate. As Mr. Happy observed, "babies are floppy." What's more, at the end of his first day of preschool his father asked him how things went. He said, "Bad." He pointed to a class mate and said, "That boy hit me." Later Mr. Happy's mother sat him down to talk about the incident. She asked him, "Did you tell the teacher that the little boy hit you?" Mr. Happy said, "No." "Well," she asked, "did you talk with the little boy about why he hit you?" "No," said Mr. Happy, "I just hit him back." The search begins for equilibrium. Mr. Happy will find it.
"The search for equilibrium" is (in my experience) is never ending... the best approximation is "be at peace with each other" ... :-]
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