In Jesus Name

 

In Mark 9:38-50 the apostles are all bent out of shape because someone outside of their “elite” group of 12 dared to do their job and has been discovered casting out demons. Ironically, none of the twelve were able to exorcise an unclean spirit from a boy earlier in our readings. Yet, they are indignant that someone not part of the twelve apostles has been successfully ministering to the afflicted and infirmed in Jesus name. Of course, they want the individual to cease and desist and prohibit him from doing the work for which they have been charged to do. Jesus tells them to cut out all their elitist nonsense and get over themselves. The accused healer was acting on behalf of Jesus and in his name.

 What does acting in Jesus name mean? It is not merely a knee jerk response to a liturgical prayer said or invoked without soulful intent. It is living a life in God as Jesus through Jesus.

Jesus was also unequivocal when he tells us that anything that gets in the way of living in His name, should be eliminated. Likewise obstacles that get in the way of others’ ability to follow Jesus must be eliminated. “If you hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” Once again, the intensity of Jesus' words is palpable and unequivocal. It serves to remind us that preventing another from being “of Christ” and acting in his name is far worse than self-mutilation.

Do we get in the way of others in their following the teaching of Jesus? What does it mean to be “of Christ?” What criteria should we use to determine if someone is "of Christ" or not?