Who is Against us and Who for Us?

Luke 9:49-50; Mark 9:38-41

Today we look a little at the life of John.

As the disciples continue to grow in their faith and walk with Christ, another situation which seems to be a distraction occurs which seems to confuse the disciples. Funny how this incident occurs right after each one of the disciples is talking about who will be the greatest in the kingdom...

John is not now who he will be, but differs at this time from his future self. He is one who asks the question why a person who is not a part of them (the close group of Jesus disciples) who can continue to perform exorcisms in the name of Jesus when he is not a follower of Christ.

John wants judgment to fall upon one who is doing something outside of the scope of the group of disciples just like the other disciples who at times would have called fire down from heaven to people they felt who needed it. Later in his life, John will become one who is concerned about love for all as he writes the book of John. This is not who he is now though.

"For the conscience of a young disciple is like a fire of green logs, which smokes first before it burns with clear blaze. And a Christian whose conscience is in this state must be treated as we treat a dull fire: he must be borne with, that is, till his conscience clear itself of bitter, cloudy smoke, and become a pure, genial, warm flame of zeal tempered by charity." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 234.

John was one of those smoky logs in the fire place, without a time for a good seasoning. Firewood to burn, has to be set aside over time. It needs time for it to dry out and become useful; otherwise it will continue to give you problems in performing what it was created to be; light and heat, the purposes for what you need it to be.

All of us have issues in life. John was no different. He continued to grow through events in his life which made him a huge asset for the Kingdom of God, but for now he is a liability. For now he is smoky and unclear as the Kingdom's goal. His goal right now is to be someone of influence and noticed. A seat at the big table...

You see so many people get caught up in their own actions for the Kingdom that if anyone else either from a different faith background, difference in personality, or temperament that they become a threat of superseding their chance to be more important in the Kingdom. This is where John was at in this period of his life. Jesus does not rebuke his ignorance, but rather uses it to cause a teachable event in his life. Jesus responds to his question in Mark 9:40,

"For he who is not against us is for us."

Have you ever taken time to evaluate your relationship with Christ. I mean deeply...

Are you smoky at best, or well seasoned?

When we get to the point of being well seasoned it will show. Just a seasoned fire log burns bright in the fireplace, so can our lives become a clear bright burning flame for the Kingdom of God. One that will be light and warmth to all who encounter us. Just like the person John would one day come to be for the Kingdom of God!