Jesus isn’t the only one with power. Apparently, there is
another exorcist enjoying modest success. That has the disciples a little on
edge. John tells Jesus that they even tried to stop him.
Jesus responds with a news flash: Casting out unclean
spirits is not a competition. All healers are on the same team.
Then Jesus begins to talk about little ones and children.
The child he held in his arms in Capernaum is still in the room, and Jesus
begins to talk about the disciples’ influence upon her.
Children, he says, will look up to them. Children will look
to them as examples of faith, healing, and action. Children will look to them
for good news. Whatever they say and do will be the model others follow.
So, if you say healing is a competition, it will be. If you
say it is a team effort, it will be.
Jesus implores them to analyze what they are doing, keep
the things that are effective, and eliminate the rest, for everyone’s sake.
They are beginning a ministry together, and whatever they say and do will set
the standard for everything that follows.
It’s better to do the difficult, painful work now, than for
the whole endeavor and everyone involved with it, to end up on the garbage heap
with the worms and the burning trash.
Everything Jesus has worked for is at stake. This new
empire, the proclamation of the good news of the nearness of the Kingdom of God,
and the miraculous healing that takes place in it, rest with these twelve
getting it right. Everything and everyone will be tested with challenges and
trials. If the foundation is not solid, nothing and no one will stand. There
won’t be any second chances.
Text for the day:
Things to think
about:
Young people and people new to faith are watching you as an
example of faithful living.
Things to do:
Identify your bad habits and confess your sins. Pray Psalm
51.
Jesus,
give me integrity.
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