Luke 9:43-50. This is a short one, if you don’t have it handy you can find it here: 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209%3A%2043-50&version=NLT

So ya, Jesus has just had a moment.  If you didn’t read the last post, he sort of says, I just want to die so that the rescue of these people I love can begin.  

He tells his disciples that he is going to be betrayed and killed, and the next thing we hear is them bickering about which of them is the most important.  

Sigh.  I’d like to act all disappointed in them, but I already know I have the same tendencies they do.  To judge them is to judge my own heart, and I don’t like being judged. Still, a little bit of self-examination might be in order. Maybe that’s why Jesus chose a bunch of basically unimpressive guys to be his disciples.  Maybe he wanted us to see ourselves in them?  Anyways, that’s not the point of this passage, so let’s keep rolling. 

I am in no position to judge, but Jesus is, so he gently corrects his disciples.

“See this kid? You look at him and you see someone who doesn’t really matter. He’s young.  He has no status in society.  You see a nobody.  But I see something else entirely.  He’s important!  When you welcome him in my name, you welcome me, and when you welcome me, you welcome my Father.  The way you treat someone that you don’t consider to be very important matters, because in the kingdom of God the  very least is the one who is the greatest.” 

This is a really important lesson.  It’s something I need to carry with me everywhere I go.  The disciples, it seems, missed it that time around.  They could be slow like me, but don’t worry.  It will sink in eventually and deeply shape the men they become. 

John changes the subject.  “Speaking of doing stuff in your name…” ya, that was the point John, well done.  “There was this guy driving out demons in your name, but we don’t even know him.  He has no right to use your name. He isn’t one of us. So we told him to stop.”

Jesus replies, “Just because he isn’t one of your buddies, doesn’t mean he isn’t one of mine.  If he is doing things that honour God and doing it in my authority, he’s on the same side as you are.”  

Being a part of God’s kingdom was never meant to be an exclusive club.  It’s not a status symbol.  It is an open invitation to anyone who trusts in Jesus’ name.  Jesus would be happiest if EVERYone accepted the invitation.  

It bears lingering here just long enough to say this to my fellow believers in Jesus: A little more grace might be in order.

When we look at the church in general, it’s a mixed bag.  Yes, some people are using Jesus name to claim authority to say and do all kinds of things that he would never say or do.  But there are a lot of people in the church who are doing the stuff Jesus would do in a way you might not choose to.  There are people who are honouring God and respecting his word who understand some finer theological points differently than you do.  Maybe just chill.  If watching these disciples can teach us anything, it’s that God can use people who don’t get everything right the first time.  In fact, hear me out for just a second, it’s possible you and I don’t even have every fine theological point absolutely perfectly understood. So maybe just chill with the posting angry condemnation of people who don’t agree with you.  Maybe make fewer assumptions about other people’s hearts. Maybe relax with angry public debate that just makes the church look grumpy and sanctimonious, and frankly, nothing like Jesus.

In case you think I’m preaching “cheap grace” or some such nonsense, let me quote a little scripture at you, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Roman 14:4 (NIV, 1985)

For my part? I’m just grateful I have a God who is making me stand.  I’ve got enough problems without trying to fix the people around me.  I think I’ll just focus on that for now.