From the SALT Blog
1) “Once again (it’s a common theme in Mark), the disciples just don’t get it. Jesus, holding a child in his arms, has just been teaching them about true greatness; about seeking humility, not superiority; about being “servant of all,” not “first of all.” And how do they respond? With a breathless report showcasing their religious arrogance! Someone else is casting out demons in Jesus’ name, “and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us” (Mark 9:38). Note the phrasing: “not following us.” In a perfect illustration of Christian hubris, the disciples equate “following Jesus” with “following us.” If they’re not with us, they must be against us.
2) “Jesus responds with a strikingly open, inclusive vision of discipleship. Remember, in Mark, Jesus arrives as a healer and liberator confronting the demonic, death-dealing powers that be. That larger mission is what matters most, and coalitions among groups with different styles and creeds will be necessary along the way — or so Jesus’ response suggests. Don’t stop him, he says.
“Even people who aren’t walking with us, if they heal in my name, will be our allies in the long run. And then Jesus opens the circle even wider, including not just those who “bear the name of Christ,” but also those who don’t (i.e., non-Christians) who provide disciples with the most basic assistance — they, too, “will by no means lose the reward” (Mark 9:41). It’s a results-oriented approach to the larger struggle, as opposed to a clannish one. Jesus’ emphasis is on fruitful action, not membership or process or “doing things the way we do them.” In short, in the face of the disciples’ if-they’re-not-with-us-they’re-against-us mentality, Jesus counters, “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40).
3) “And then Jesus takes things a step further. It’s as if he says, You were just arguing on the road about who’s the greatest, and now you presume superiority over others who aren’t following us. Listen: quit the infighting, elitism, and arrogance. You’re setting a terrible example, for each other, for the crowds, and especially for newer disciples, younger ones in the faith. (Remember, he’s still holding the “little child” in his arms!) So stop the finger-pointing and start getting your own house in order, or else your hypocrisy will cause the little ones to stumble — little ones like this child, yes, or like the stranger you mention, the one casting out demons in my name. For God’s sake, be humble and hospitable! Set a good example! Focus on shoring up your own weaknesses, not criticizing others. Do you find yourself tempted toward worldly greatness or religious arrogance? Cut those tendencies out, swiftly and completely — and don’t hesitate! “If your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out!” (Mark 9:47).
4) “Jesus’ vivid hyperboles here underscore at least two things: first, the threats don’t arise from the outside; they arise from within. It’s my hand, my foot, my eye that’s the source of difficulty, not the disciple walking beside me on the road, much less some other group or religion. As far as others are concerned, my focus should be on welcoming and serving them, not judging them or forcing them to “follow us.” And second, Jesus’ hyperbole underscores the stakes here.”