Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, February 16, 2021
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
A very small text. A very big message. "Whoever is not against you is for you." When Jesus' disciples saw others casting out demons in Jesus' name, but were not followers of Jesus, they were alarmed. The disciples tried to stop the exorcists from doing good because they weren't doing it in the way the disciples thought they should. As if there was only one way to serve the greater good. Only one way to serve God.
Jesus knew better. He didn't come to the earth to funnel people into a single way of doing things. He came to save this world from itself. He didn't mind others finding ways to make this world better, even if they found an alternate route to serving God.
We are living in a divided, multi-cultural, and multi-religious world. But we are also united by a desire to create a better world. We have vastly different ways of accomplishing it.
But maybe if we can come together over the things we have in common, we can make this world better for everyone. What do you think?
