John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. From Mark 9:38-50
Last week’s gospel text had the disciples arguing about who was the greatest and this week’s texts have them learning the boundaries needed for ministry in action. After not being able to cast out demons themselves, I imagine it was humbling for the disciples to now see someone else succeeding. And on top of that, they were not even part of their community! I’ve learned through the years to pay close attention when my envy monster starts kicking up!
Jesus responds to this inquiry by inviting them to look again with different eyes. When the accomplished action builds up the kingdom of God, the disciples need to celebrate. The good outcome is more valuable than the vehicle for the Holy Spirit’s action. It is yet another invitation to see as God sees rather than through human standards of credit and reward.
These passages are challenging because it is easy to miss the bigger picture. Most of us enjoy receiving credit and don’t enjoy receiving blame. We begin worrying about who is the greatest and who can act with authority often from a place of fear and anxiety. When we feel settled in our own assurance of God’s love for us, we start to let go of being quite so worried about where we fit in the scheme of things. We begin functioning at the fullness of Christ’s body when we see ourselves as a part of that whole.
This is why I find the next verse to be so helpful. Offering a glass of water may seem like the simplest of tasks, but when I served as hospital chaplain, that cup of water or a box of tissues were often the most helpful way to be present for grieving families.
I hear this invitation from Jesus as a return to the present. We are invited to seek God in the small actions as well as the large. Most of us are unlikely to be asked to cast out demons in the next week but I suspect offering a cup of water, making a phone call to someone going through a hard time, or welcoming a new person in our community are low hanging fruit of serving one another with Christ-like love. God will see those actions as well and call them blessed.
Peace, Beth +